Prevalence of chronic diseases in octogenarians: data from the National Health Survey 2019

Abstract

This article aims to estimate the prevalence of chronic diseases/conditions in octogenarians according to sex, age groups and private health insurance, and its relationship with difficulty in performing usual activities. Cross-sectional population-based study with elderly data (n = 6,098) from the National Health Survey (PNS) 2019. Prevalences and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. The prevalences were: hypertension 61.7%, chronic back problem 30.0%, hypercholesterolemia 22.0%, diabetes 20.3%; arthritis/rheumatism 19.4%, heart disease 19.3%, depression 9.4%, cancer 8.9%, cerebrovascular accident (CA) 7.5%, asthma 4.9%, lung disease (LD) 4.2% and kidney failure (KF) 3.0%. Hypertension, chronic back problem, hypercholesterolemia, major arthritis/rheumatism and depression in women, and cancer in men. Major heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, arthritis/rheumatism, KF, cancer and depression in those with private health insurance. Restriction of usual activities 14.8%, more frequent in cardiac patients, with chronic back problem, arthritis/rheumatism, KF, depression, CA, cancer and LD. There were higher prevalences in women and in those who have health insurance. Difficulties in usual activities related to diseases demand the expansion of care for the older adults.