[Retiree quality of life assessment with SF-36 questionnaire].
OBJECTIVE
Increase of the elderly in the Brazilian population demands assessment of aspects that interfere with the retirees' quality of life.


METHODS
The Brazilian version of SF-36 questionnaire was applied to 87 retirees at their homes. Data on quality of life was associated with demographic data, socioeconomic status, health conditions and life style. Statistical analysis of data was performed using single-variable and multivariate analysis.


RESULTS
The mean age was 57.3 years (standard deviation 8.9 years) and the mean retirement time was 7.1 years. Fifty-five percent were early retirements due to disability and 23.4% of those queried were still working when research was carried out. Smokers were 11.5% and 5.7 % were diagnosed as alcohol dependent by CAGE criteria. Depression and arterial systemic hypertension were the most prevalent conditions and 56.3% of the retirees practiced regular physical activity. Multivariate analysis disclosed that regular physical activity and post-retirement occupation were the only variables associated with improved quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
The SF-36 questionnaire was a suitable instrument, relatively quick and easy to use. The quality of life was associated with life style, as indicated by the practice of physical activities and post-retirement occupation. Actions are needed to enable retirees to improve their life style after retirement.
Pimenta
Fausto Aloísio Pedrosa
FA
Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Simil
Fabrícia Fonseca
FF
Tôrres
Henrique Oswaldo da Gama
HO
Amaral
Carlos Faria Santos
CF
Rezende
Camila Farnese
CF
Coelho
Thaissa Oliveira
TO
Rezende
Nilton Alves de
NA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004651:Employment / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012179:Retirement / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D013997:Time Factors