Multimorbidity due to chronic noncommunicable diseases in older adults: a population-based study

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of multimorbidity arising from chronic noncommunicable diseases among older residents of the northeast of Brazil and to analyze its association with sociodemographic, behavioral and anthropometric factors. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 3,141 older participants of the National Health Survey (2013). The dependent variable was multimorbidity, and the independent variables were sociodemographic, behavioral and anthropometric indicators. Descriptive, bivariate analyzes and logistic regression models were applied. Results: The prevalence of multimorbidity was 23.7%, with the state of Alagoas having the highest prevalence (27.2%). The occurrence of multimorbidity was associated with the female sex (OR=1.33; p=0.002), age over 80 years (OR=1.35; p=0.019) and being overweight (OR =1.37 p= 0.001). The protective factors were brown skin color (OR=0.79; p=0.013) and low weight (OR =0.71; p=0.017). Conclusion: The prevalence of multimorbidity in community-dwelling older adults in the northeast of Brazil was almost one quarter of the study population, with the state of Alagoas having the highest prevalence. Sex, age, skin color and being overweight were associated with the outcome. Knowledge of these factors can guide health care in the prevention, control and reduction of complications of these diseases, and support the strengthening of health education strategies and policies.

Frailty in the elderly: screening possibilities in Primary Health Care

“…Morbidity and mortality rates in the health system reflect the undeniable growth of the elderly population in Latin American countries. In Brazil, it is a growing phenomenon and is associated, among other aspects, with the reduction in the fertility rate and increase in life expectancy (1)(2) . According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), in 2000, the Brazilian population over 60 years of age was 14.5 million people, representing an increase of 35.5% compared to 10.7 million in 1991.…”

“…Aging is considered a sequential, individual, cumulative, and irreversible process of deterioration of the organism, which can compromise physical, mental, and/or social health. It is often related to the higher prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which can influence the emergence of physical limitations, cognitive losses, depressive symptoms, sensory decline, accidents, falls, urinary incontinence, and social isolation called geriatric syndromes (1,3) .…”

“…In the context of Primary Health Care (PHC), the factors associated with frailty in the elderly can strongly reduce impacts on the health system through public policies that organize an integrated care model focused on this portion of the population (4) . Given this scenario, the discussion and screening of frailty in the elderly population at the first level of health care becomes relevant (1,(3)(4)(5) .…”

“…Therefore, any strategy aimed at serving this clientele should consider the multidimensional aspects affected. Thus, in public health, the concept of fragility must be broad so that the primary care network can respond to the needs of this population and, with this, maintain and promote its autonomy and independence (1,(3)(4)(5)(6) .…”

Prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome in elderly attended in primary health care / Prevalência e fatores associados à síndrome metabólica em idosos atendidos na atenção primária em saúde

“…Among the NCDs, systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), cardiovascular diseases (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2), cerebrovascular diseases, and cancer stand out. 1 There is a remarkable association between the risk factors for the development of CVD, DM, and obesity with the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS), and for this reason, an attempt has been made to understand and propose strategies related to this issue. MetS occurs when three or more of the five criteria are present: central obesity, hypertension, altered glycemia or DM2 diagnosis, elevated triglycerides and decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL).…”