title: [Cross sectional geriatric assessment of free living older subjects from Antofagasta, Chile].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of aging on people must be evaluated to adequate sanitary actions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the characteristics of older subjects living in Antofagasta, Chile.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional assessment of 602 subjects without dementia, aged more than 60 years (55% females). A socioeconomic and medical history was obtained and Barthel, Lawton, Yesavage depression, Tromp fall risk and Folstein Mini mental scales were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty eight percent of subjects had more than six years of studies. Forty six percent had hypertension, 28% had osteoarticular problems, 20% had hypercholesterolemia and 17% diabetes mellitus. Four percent had depression and falls were reported by 35%. Seventy four percent were independent in basic and instrumental activities. Ninety four percent had normal cognitive functions. Age was an important determinant of functional capacity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main problems detected in this sample were the risk of falls and the presence of chronic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermería, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Antofagasta, Chile. ctapia@uantof.cl
authors.forename: Catalina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tapia P
authors.forename: Héctor
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Varela V
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barra A
authors.forename: M Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Ubilla V
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Iturra M
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Collao A
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silva Z
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric