Use of specialized public health services by older people in southern Brazil

Abstract

Objective To analyze the use of specialized public health services by older adults, by sex and age group, in the city of Porto Alegre. Methods A cross-sectional study with secondary data from the city's outpatient and inpatient consultation systems. All records from 2019 were used, and Pearson's chi-square test was applied. Results In total, 64,888 older people sought specialized services, generating 113.694 visits (82,8% outpatient visits and 17.2% hospitalizations). It was found that 74.7% of the older adults were referred by primary care for specialized care, with higher percentages of young older people and women (p<0.001). On the other hand, men and older adults aged 80 years or older were referred more frequently for care from hospitals and emergency rooms (p<0.001). Women and older adults between 60 and 79 years old used outpatient centers, physical therapy, rehabilitation centers, dentistry and mental health in greater proportion (p<0.001). The main reasons for using specialized services were diseases of the circulatory system, being more expressive among older adults aged 80 years or older and men (p<0.001). Musculoskeletal diseases (22.5%) were the main reasons for outpatient consultations and, in emergency hospitalizations, diseases of the circulatory system (37.9%). Older adults with a history of outpatient consultations had fewer hospital admissions (p<0.001). Conclusion The need for articulated actions by health services is highlighted, prioritizing the male and long-lived population, focusing on the prevention/control of non-communicable chronic diseases and the vulnerabilities of this stage of life.