Factors associated with vulnerability and fragility in the elderly: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: to assess factors associated with vulnerability and fragility in the elderly. Methods: crosssectional study with 384 elderly people in Fortaleza, Ceará. The Vulnerable Elders Survey and Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index - 20 were used. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used for associations. In the analysis of the combined influence of risk factors, the stepwise logistic regression and multinomial regression methods were adopted. Results: 251 (65.4%) non-vulnerable and 133 (34.6%) vulnerable elders. From the vulnerable elders analyzed, 42 (30.9%) are at high risk for frailty. Factors associated with vulnerability: age, gender, presence of comorbidities, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and use of polypharmacy. There is a 30% increase in the chance of vulnerability for each additional drug. Physical activity reduces the chance of vulnerability by 60%. Factors associated with frailty: educational level; self-perception of health; comorbidities; polypharmacy. Conclusions: it is important to pay attention to the presence of arterial hypertension, osteoporosis, polypharmacy, and encourage the practice of physical activity.

Self-care deficit among older men in the COVID-19 pandemic: implications for nursing

“…According to Orem (7,12) , nurses can also manage the insertion of older adults in the Primary Health Care network and its continuous monitoring, urging the need to strengthen shared intersectoral actions (32) , especially to older adults, considering the shocks of the pandemic in this age context (1) . It is noteworthy here that, in order for older adults to take ownership of self-care, their learning needs to be developed throughout their lives (33) .…”

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Déficit do autocuidado entre homens idosos no curso da pandemia de COVID-19: implicações à enfermagem

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