Functional limitations of Brazilian elderly by age and gender differences: data from SABE Survey.
This study provides the prevalence, by gender and age-groups, of observed physical performance test (PPT) assessing functional limitation for representative samples of elderly Brazilian subjects living in São Paulo city. This cross-sectional epidemiological study, both population- and household-based, is part of a multicenter survey (SABE) undertaken in seven Latin American and Caribbean countries and coordinated by the Pan-American Health Organization. From January 2000 to March 2001, 2,143 elderly individuals (>or= 60 years) of both sexes were examined. Of this total, 1,894 participated in the study. PPT included handgrip strength, standing balance, timed repeated "chair stand", and "pick up a pen". Results have shown (based on chi-square) that the prevalence relating to the performance differed according to sex, age group, and from one test to another. With increasing age, there was a reduction (p = 0.000) in both males and females in the proportion of individuals that had better results on the tests. The male group, on every test, when compared to women from the same age group, had a more individuals with better scores. Data suggest that older individuals and women have more functional limitations.
Barbosa
Aline R
AR
Programa Interunidades em Nutrição Humana Aplicada, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. alinerb13@yahoo.com.br
Souza
José M P
JM
Lebrão
Maria L
ML
Laurenti
Ruy
R
Marucci
Maria de Fátima N
Mde F
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013996:Time and Motion Studies