[Factors associated with pulmonary disease among the elderly].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of reported pulmonary disease among elderly subjects, according to sociodemographic and economic characteristics, lifestyle, physical mobility, and health status.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional population-based study that included 1,957 elderly subjects (aged 60 and over). Information was collected by means of interviews. Subjects were selected using a two-stage probabilistic, stratified, cluster sampling strategy in six municipalities in the State of São Paulo between 2001 and 2002. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared association tests, prevalence ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were utilized. Adjusted analysis was carried out by Poisson regression.


RESULTS
Among the interviewees, around 7% reported pulmonary disease. There was no association between pulmonary disease and influenza vaccination. Adjusted analysis identified the following factors that were independently associated with reported disease: smoking (PR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.39-2.97); medication use (PR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.11-3.79); health status self-assessed as poor or very poor (PR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.20-2.96); and depression, anxiety, or emotional problems (PR: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.11-3.10).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings from the present study reinforce the importance of respiratory diseases among the elderly, particularly in more vulnerable groups. Preventive measures and specific care for such groups are therefore justified.
Francisco
Priscila Maria Stolses Bergamo
PM
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva e Social, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil. donalisi@fcm.unicamp.br
Donalisio
Maria Rita
MR
de Azevedo Barros
Marilisa Berti
MB
César
Chester Luis Galvão
CL
Carandina
Luana
L
Goldbaum
Moisés
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors