title: Treatment of the Aged Patients at a Large Cardiac Rehabilitation Center in the Southern Brazil and Some Aspects of Their Dropout from the Therapeutic Programs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper aims to assess the dropout rate in different age groups through the example of the large cardiac rehabilitation centre affiliated with the Institute of Sports Medicine, University of Caxias do Sul.
  
  
  METHODS
  A historic cohort study comprising the following groups: Non-Old < 65 (n = 141); Young-Old 65-74 (n = 128); and Middle-Old 75-84 years old (n = 57). The exercise program lasted 48 sessions and dropout was defined as attendance of 50% of sessions or less. Logistic binominal regression was performed to assess the risk of dropout. For all analyses, a two-tailed P value of < 0.05 was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total dropout rate was 38.6%. The Young-Old and Middle-Old groups showed lower dropouts compared to Non-Old patients (p = 0.01). Young-Old has 96% less risk for dropout compared to Non-Old group (adjusted odds ratios = 1.96 [1.16-3.29]). Furthermore, patients underwent the Coronary Artery Bypass Graft showed a lower rate of dropout (p = 0.001). The absence of CABG involved three times more risk of dropout (p = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Non-Old and the Middle-Old patients showed higher dropout rates compared to Young-Old. To ensure the best possible rehabilitation and to improve patients´ participation in CR, these programs should be adjusted to the needs of patients in terms of their age.
authors.affiliation: University of Caxias do Sul, Sports Medicine Institute, Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pietro Felice Tomazini
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Nesello
authors.affiliation: University of Caxias do Sul, Cardiac Rehabilitation Service, Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tairova
authors.affiliation: University of Caxias do Sul, Sports Medicine Institute, Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tairova
authors.affiliation: University of Caxias do Sul, Sports Medicine Institute, Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Graciolli
authors.affiliation: University of Caxias do Sul, Sports Medicine Institute, Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baroni
authors.affiliation: University of Caxias do Sul, Cardiac Rehabilitation Service, Caxias do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Comparsi
authors.affiliation: Faculdade Cenetista, Physiotherapy Undergraduate Coordinator, Bento Gonçalves, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thiago De
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marchi
keywords: Age; Cardiac Rehabilitation Program; Coronary Artery Disease; Dropout; Elderly