ABSTRACT There is a need for greater knowledge about the medium- and long-term effects of prescribed fire management on soil in ecosystems prone to wildfires and more vulnerable to climate change. This study examined the short- and medium-term effects of prescribed fire on soil chemical properties and chemical fractions of soil organic matter (SOM) in two positions of the landscape in a high-elevation grassland environment. The ecosystem is located in the mountain peaks of southeastern Brazil associated with the Atlantic Forest biome. Prescribed fire was conducted in 2017 to reduce understory vegetation and thus prevent potential severe wildfires. Soil samples were collected at the layers of 0.00-0.10, 0.10-0.20, and 0.20-0.40 m, at eight composite sampling. The composite samples were collected on five different occasions: before the prescribed fire, and 10, 30, 90, and 240 days after the prescribed fire. Soil chemical properties, total organic carbon, labile C, and chemical fractionation of SOM were analyzed. All soil properties investigated were affected by the prescribed fire, with variations in landscape position, duration of effect, and soil layer. In the backslope area, the medium-term effect of fire was negative and induced soil degradation and induced soil degradation. In the footslope area, the system showed greater resilience to the effects of fire, as indicated by the recovery of the soil’s chemical properties. These results can help assess the suitability of controlled burning of vegetation for managing risks of fire in mountainous regions, such as high-elevation grasslands.

Resumo: Introdução: No contexto da formação em Medicina, muitos estudantes buscam alívio e equilíbrio emocional por meio do uso de substâncias psicoativas. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar o consumo de substâncias psicoativas entre os acadêmicos de Medicina da Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte (UERN) com o intuito de contribuir para a formulação de atividades de prevenção. Método: A pesquisa possui corte transversal e abordagem quantitativa e descritiva. Aplicaram-se questionários padronizados entre outubro e dezembro de 2020 para discentes do primeiro ano e do internato. Analisaram-se variáveis de natureza categórica por meio de frequências e percentuais, e a relação entre essas variáveis foi realizada pelo teste qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher. As associações e comparações, em relação aos períodos, foram consideradas significativas no caso de p-valor < 0,05. Resultado: A prevalência do uso de substâncias psicoativas na vida foi de 81,7% (n = 107). O consumo de tabaco e Cannabis foi significativamente maior em mulheres em relação aos homens: p = 0,019 e p = 0,05, respectivamente. Além disso, 48,4% dos discentes que têm insônia, 85,7% dos que relataram possuir dependência e 39% dos que acreditam que cursar Medicina é fator precipitante de consumo fazem uso de ansiolíticos, sedativos e hipnóticos: p = 0,025, p = 0,004 e p = 0,01, respectivamente. Conclusão: Observaram-se um elevado uso de substâncias psicoativas entre os estudantes de Medicina da UERN e a manutenção do perfil de uso ao longo dos períodos do curso com a presença de achados atípicos que divergiram de outros trabalhos, evidenciando a heterogeneidade das populações estudantis médicas, o que aponta para a necessidade de mais estudos para ampliação e análise dos resultados encontrados.

Abstract: Introduction: In the context of medical training, many students seek relief and emotional balance through the use of psychoactive substances. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the consumption of psychoactive substances among medical students at the Faculty of Health Sciences, State University of Rio Grande do Norte, with the aim of contributing to the formulation of prevention activities. Method: This cross-sectional study adopted a quantitative and descriptive approach. Standardized questionnaires were applied between October and December 2020 for first-year and internship students. Categorical variables were analyzed using frequencies and percentages and the relationship between these variables was performed using the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. Associations and comparisons, in relation to the study periods, were considered significant in the case of p-value < 0.05. Results: The lifetime prevalence of psychoactive substance use was 81.7% (n = 107). Tobacco and cannabis consumption was significantly higher in women compared to men, p = 0.019 and p = 0.05, respectively. Furthermore, 48.4% of the students who suffer from insomnia, 85.7% of those who reported being substance-dependant, and 39% of those who believe that studying medicine is a precursor for consumption, make use of anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics, p = 0.025, p = 0.004 and p = 0.01, respectively. Conclusion: A high use of psychoactive substances was found among medical students at the State University of Rio Grande do Norte and the use profile maintained throughout the course included atypical findings that diverged from other studies, demonstrating the heterogeneity of medical student populations, which points to the need for more studies to expand and analyze the results found.

ABSTRACT Histosols provide several ecosystem services, related mainly to their reserves of carbon and nitrogen. Management practices in these soils can increase the mineralization of organic matter and contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of tillage with plowing and drainage on Histosol properties in three land use systems located in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Three areas subjected to different land use systems over the last twenty years were chosen: Area 1, secondary forest with natural regeneration; Area 2, conventional tillage of cassava with plowing; and Area 3, intercropped coconut + cassava with an artificial drainage system. The chemical characterization, von Post scale of organic matter decomposition, percentage of rubbed fiber, organic matter, percentage of mineral material, bulk density, electrical conductivity, soluble phosphate, total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen (NT), organic carbon fractions, and C and N stocks were analyzed. Our results showed the critical, nearly irreversible effects of agricultural practices comprising drainage and plowing of the soil. Over twenty years, in Area 2, the TOC and NT values decreased by 33 and 20 %, respectively in the histic horizon, and by about 17 and 8 %, respectively in the gley horizon. In Area 3, the TOC and NT values decreased by 31 and 18 %, respectively, in the histic horizon, and by 27 and 21 % in the gley horizon. Our findings also showed that the loss of C is related to the labile organic carbon, which is more sensitive to environmental changes, even at deeper depths. The plowing of the soil decreases the organic matter content due to the accelerated oxidation of organic matter, increasing the bulk density. Drainage, besides the loss of organic matter by subsidence, promotes the sulfidization of the soil with a high content of SO42-, due to the oxidation of soil materials containing sulfides.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: A population-based household survey was performed, from July 27, 2020 to August 8, 2020. The estimates considered clustering, stratification and non-response. Qualitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies was performed in a fully-automated Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the Cobas® e601 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS: In total, 3,156 individuals were interviewed. Seroprevalence of total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 40.4% (95%CI 35.6-45.3). Population adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions was higher at the beginning of the pandemic than in the last month. SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were significantly lower among mask wearers and among those who maintained social and physical distancing in the last month compared to their counterparts. Among the infected, 26.0% were asymptomatic. The infection fatality rate (IFR) was 0.14%, higher for men and older adults. The IFR based on excess deaths was 0.28%. The ratio of estimated infections to reported cases was 22.2. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 estimated in this population-based survey is one of the highest reported. The local herd immunity threshold may have been reached or might be reached soon.

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE: To estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. METHODS: A population-based household survey was performed, from July 27, 2020 to August 8, 2020. The estimates considered clustering, stratification and non-response. Qualitative detection of IgM and IgG antibodies was performed in a fully-automated Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 electrochemiluminescence immunoassay on the Cobas® e601 analyzer (Roche Diagnostics). RESULTS: In total, 3,156 individuals were interviewed. Seroprevalence of total antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was 40.4% (95%CI 35.6-45.3). Population adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions was higher at the beginning of the pandemic than in the last month. SARS-CoV-2 infection rates were significantly lower among mask wearers and among those who maintained social and physical distancing in the last month compared to their counterparts. Among the infected, 26.0% were asymptomatic. The infection fatality rate (IFR) was 0.14%, higher for men and older adults. The IFR based on excess deaths was 0.28%. The ratio of estimated infections to reported cases was 22.2. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 estimated in this population-based survey is one of the highest reported. The local herd immunity threshold may have been reached or might be reached soon.

BACKGROUND Biomphalaria glabrata snails are widely distributed in schistosomiasis endemic areas like America and Caribe, displaying high susceptibility to infection by Schistosoma mansoni. After the availability of B. glabrata genome and transcriptome data, studies focusing on genetic markers and small non-coding RNAs have become more relevant. The small RNAs have been considered important through their ability to finely regulate the gene expression in several organisms, thus controlling the functions like cell growth, metabolism, and susceptibility/resistance to infection. OBJECTIVE The present study aims on identification and characterisation of the repertoire of small non-coding RNAs in B. glabrata (Bgl-small RNAs). METHODS By using small RNA sequencing, bioinformatics tools and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), we identified, characterised, and validated the presence of small RNAs in B. glabrata. FINDINGS 89 mature miRNAs were identified and five of them were classified as Mollusk-specific. When compared to model organisms, sequences of B. glabrata miRNAs showed a high degree of conservation. In addition, several target genes were predicted for all the mature miRNAs identified. Furthermore, piRNAs were identified in the genome of B. glabrata for the first time. The B. glabrata piRNAs showed strong conservation of uridine as first nucleotide at 5’ end, besides adenine at 10th position. Our results showed that B. glabrata has diverse repertoire of circulating ncRNAs, several which might be involved in mollusk susceptibility to infection, due to their potential roles in the regulation of S. mansoni development. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Further studies are necessary in order to confirm the role of the Bgl-small RNAs in the parasite/host relationship thus opening new perspectives on interference of small RNAs in the organism development and susceptibility to infection.

RESUMO Ainda há poucos marcadores de desempenho funcional com capacidade de predizer óbito em unidades de terapia intensiva (UTI). O objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar a associação entre a não adoção de postura antigravitacional e óbito em pacientes internados em uma UTI adulto. Trata-se de um estudo retrospectivo e analítico, realizado através da análise de prontuários. A associação entre a não adoção de postura antigravitacional e óbito foi testada por regressão logística múltipla ajustada por sexo, idade, gravidade da doença (mensurada pelo Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Classification System II [Apache II]), tempo de ventilação mecânica invasiva (VMI) e tempo de sedação. A odds ratio (OR) foi estimada com intervalo de confiança de 95%. Foram incluídos no estudo 92 pacientes sequenciais. Houve forte associação entre a não adoção de postura antigravitacional em UTI e óbito (ORajustada=37,7; IC=4,76-293; p=0,001). Conclui-se que pacientes que não adotaram postura antigravitacional durante o internamento em UTI apresentaram chances muito mais elevadas de mortalidade. Essa simples estratégia de classificação da capacidade funcional de pacientes críticos pode ser utilizada rotineiramente por equipes de saúde como uma variável simples e dicotômica de prognóstico de mortalidade em UTI.

ABSTRACT Until now, few functional performance markers are able to predict death in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). This study aimed to identify the association between non-adoption of antigravity posture and death in patients admitted to an adult ICU. It is a retrospective and analytical study, performed through the analysis of medical records. Association between non-adoption of antigravity posture and death was tested by multiple logistic regression adjusted for gender, age, disease severity (measured by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Classification System II [Apache II]), time of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and period of sedation. The odds ratio (OR) with confidence interval (CI=95%) was estimated. A total of 92 sequential patients were included in the study. A strong association between the non-adoption of antigravity posture in the ICU and death (ORadjusted=37.7, CI=4.76-293, p=0.001) was observed. Thus, one can conclude that patients who did not adopt an antigravity posture during ICU admission had a much higher odds of mortality. This simple strategy to classify functional capacity of critical patients can be routinely used by the team as a simple and dichotomous variable for ICU mortality prognosis.

RESUMEN Aún existen pocos marcadores de desempeño funcional con capacidad de predecir la muerte en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar la asociación entre la no adopción de postura antigravitacional y el óbito en pacientes hospitalizados en una UCI adulto. Se trata de un estudio retrospectivo y analítico, realizado mediante análisis de historia clínica. La asociación entre la no adopción de postura antigravitacional y el fallecimiento fue probada por regresión logística múltiple ajustada por sexo, edad, gravedad de la enfermedad (medida por la Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Classification System II [Apache II]), tiempo de ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI) y tiempo de sedación. Se estimó la odds ratio (OR) con intervalo de confianza (IC=95%). Se incluyeron en el estudio 92 pacientes secuenciales. Se observó una fuerte asociación entre la no adopción de postura antigravitacional en UCI y el óbito (ORajustada=37,7; IC=4,76-293; p=0,001). De esta forma, se puede concluir que pacientes que no adoptaron postura antigravitacional durante la hospitalización en UCI tuvieron posibilidades mucho más elevadas de mortalidad. Esta simple estrategia de clasificación de la capacidad funcional de pacientes críticos puede ser utilizada de manera rutinaria por el equipo de salud como una variable simple y dicotómica de pronóstico de mortalidad en UCI.

BACKGROUND Biomphalaria glabrata is the major species used for the study of schistosomiasis-related parasite-host relationships, and understanding its gene regulation may aid in this endeavor. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) performs post-translational regulation in order to maintain cellular protein homeostasis and is related to several mechanisms, including immune responses. OBJECTIVE The aims of this work were to identify and characterise the putative genes and proteins involved in UPS using bioinformatic tools and also their expression on different tissues of B. glabrata. METHODS The putative genes and proteins of UPS in B. glabrata were predicted using BLASTp and as queries reference proteins from model organism. We characterised these putative proteins using PFAM and CDD software describing the conserved domains and active sites. The phylogenetic analysis was performed using ClustalX2 and MEGA5.2. Expression evaluation was performed from 12 snail tissues using RPKM. FINDINGS 119 sequences involved in the UPS in B. glabrata were identified, which 86 have been related to the ubiquitination pathway and 33 to proteasome. In addition, the conserved domains found were associated with the ubiquitin family, UQ_con, HECT, U-box and proteasome. The main active sites were lysine and cysteine residues. Lysines are responsible and the starting point for the formation of polyubiquitin chains, while the cysteine residues of the enzymes are responsible for binding to ubiquitin. The phylogenetic analysis showed an organised distribution between the organisms and the clades of the sequences, corresponding to the tree of life of the animals, for all groups of sequences analysed. The ubiquitin sequence was the only one with a high expression profile found in all libraries, inferring its wide range of performance. MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our results show the presence, conservation and expression profile of the UPS in this mollusk, providing a basis and new knowledge for other studies involving this system. Due to the importance of the UPS and B. glabrata, this work may influence the search for new methodologies for the control of schistosomiasis.

Resumo As ações humanas têm contribuído nas mudanças térmicas nos ambientes urbanos em escala microclimática através de tipos de revestimentos que possuem propriedades de armazenarem e transmitirem energia. Umas das estratégias de melhorar termicamente as cidades é a implantação da arborização. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o efeito do sombreamento arbóreo na temperatura superficial e no fluxo de energia de diferentes coberturas urbanas nos períodos seco e chuvoso na cidade de Cuiabá-MT. Como referencial foi utilizado um local sem arborização com esses mesmos revestimentos. Analisaram-se dados de temperatura superficial, temperatura e umidade relativa do ar, coletados às 08h, 14h e 20h. Foi utilizada a técnica não paramétrica Bootstrap para as comparações das temperaturas superficiais. Os resultados apontam que os cenários arborizados apresentaram um “resfriamento” em relação as superfícies não sombreadas, indicando o papel de relevância do sombreamento arbóreo para a mitigação da elevação da temperatura, principalmente no horário da tarde, período que ocorreu as maiores diferenças de temperaturas superficiais média entre os cenários mangueira e sem arborização, com destaque no material asfalto com até 15°C de diferença no período seco. Nesse contexto cabe ressaltar a influência da radiação solar nos resultados das temperaturas superficiais e nos tipos de materiais construtivos utilizados nas cidades. Assim, este estudo conseguiu relacionar variáveis importantes para a caracterização do meio urbano local, sugerindo que a arborização nesse meio é fundamental para a mitigação da elevação da temperatura superficial.

Abstract Human actions have contributed to the thermal changes in urban environments on a microclimatic scale through types of coatings that have properties of storing and transmitting energy. One of the strategies of thermically improving cities is the implementation of afforest. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyse the effect of tree shade on the surface temperature and energy flux of different urban coverages in the dry and rainy season in the city of Cuiabá-MT. As a reference, a site was used without afforestation with these same coatings. Analyses of surface temperature, temperature and relative humidity were collected at 08h, 14h and 20h. The non-parametric Bootstrap technique was used for comparisons of surface temperatures. The results indicate that the woody scenarios showed a "cooling" in relation to the unshaded surfaces, indicating the importance of arboreal shading for the mitigation of the elevation of temperature, especially in the afternoon, during which time the greatest differences in surface temperatures occurred between the hose and non-afforestation scenarios, with emphasis on asphalt material up to 15 ° C difference in the dry period. In this context it is important to highlight the influence of solar radiation on the results of surface temperatures and types of building materials used in cities. Thus, this study was able to relate important variables to the characterization of the local urban environment, suggesting that the afforestation in this environment is fundamental for the mitigation of surface temperature elevation.

Mycobacterium kansasii is an opportunistic pathogen and one of the most commonly encountered species in individuals with lung disease. We here report the complete genome sequence of 12 clinical isolates of M. kansasii from patients with pulmonary disease in Brazil.

RESUMO Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar o efeito da inclusão dos extratos de páprica e de marigold em rações a base de sorgo sobre a produtividade e qualidade de ovos de poedeiras. Cento e sessenta poedeiras foram distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso em cinco tratamentos e em um arranjo fatorial (2 × 2 + 1), uma ração controle a base de milho, dois níveis de extrato de páprica (0 e 6 g/kg dieta) e dois níveis de extrato de marigold (0 e 1 g/kg dieta) em rações a base de sorgo. Não houve efeito (P > 0,05) dos tratamentos sobre o peso, peso específico e unidade Haugh dos ovos e desempenho produtivo, mas a inclusão de extrato de páprica resultou em ovos com menor pH. A interação entre o grupo controle e o fatorial foi significante (P < 0,05) para taxa de postura, massa de ovo e cor de gema, cujos valores foram menores com dietas a base de sorgo sem pigmentos comparado ao tratamento controle. A interação entre os extratos de páprica e marigold foi significante aumentando a altura (P < 0,03) e cor (P < 0,0001) da gema quando o extrato de páprica foi usado, com ou sem extrato de marigold. A inclusão de extrato de marigold reduziu a porcentagem (P < 0,02) e espessura (P < 0,01) da casca. Como conclusão, a inclusão de extrato de páprica em dietas a base de sorgo para poedeiras é viável por melhorar a qualidade do ovo.

SUMMARY This study was performed to evaluate the effect of the inclusion of paprika and marigold extracts in sorghum-based rations on the productivity and egg quality of laying hens. One hundred sixty laying hens were distributed in a completely randomized design in five treatments and in a factorial arrangement (2 × 2 + 1), one control ration based on corn, two levels of paprika extract (0 and 6 g/kg diet), and two levels of marigold extract (0 and 1 g/kg diet) in sorghum-based rations. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the treatments on the weight, specific weight, and Haugh unit of the eggs and productive performance, but the inclusion of paprika extract resulted in eggs with lower egg pH. The interaction between the control group and the factorial was significant (P < 0.05) to the laying rate, egg mass, and yolk color, whose values were lower with sorghum-based diets with no pigment compared to control treatment. The interaction between the paprika and marigold extracts was significant increasing the height (P < 0.03) and color (P < 0.0001) of the yolk when paprika extract was used, with or without marigold extract. Marigold extract inclusion reduced the percentage (P < 0.02) and thickness (P < 0.01) of the eggshell. As conclusion, the inclusion of paprika extract in sorghum-based diets for laying hens is viable for improving the egg quality.

Instrumentos de medida da catastrofização da dor para indivíduos de meia-idade e idosos são necessários para compreensão do impacto na dor lombar nessa população. Os objetivos foram adaptar transculturalmente a Escala de Catastrofização da Dor, avaliar a validade de construto pela análise Rasch, verificar a confiabilidade e a validade convergente da catastrofização da dor com fatores psicossociais. Participaram 131 indivíduos comunitários com 55 anos e mais com dor lombar aguda. A confiabilidade intra-examinadores foi de Kp = 0,80 e inter-examinadores Kp = 0,75. A análise Rasch, detectou adequados coeficientes de confiabilidade (0,95 para itens e 0,90 para indivíduos). O índice de separação dos idosos foi de 2,95 e dos itens 4,59. Dos 13 itens, um não se enquadrou no modelo, o que se justificou na amostra avaliada. A catastrofização da dor se correlacionou com a maioria dos fatores psicossociais. O instrumento mostrou-se clinicamente útil. Estudos subsequentes devem proceder às mesmas análises em diferentes populações.

Measurement instruments of pain catastrophizing for middle-aged and elderly individuals are needed to understand its impact on low back pain. The goals were to cross-culturally adapt the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, assess the construct validity through Rasch analysis, and verify reliability and convergent validity of pain catastrophizing with psychosocial factors. 131 individuals aged 55 years and older with acute low back pain were interviewed . The intra-rater reliability was Kp = 0.80 and interrater Kp = 0.75. The Rasch analysis found adequate reliability coefficients (0.95 for items and 0.90 for individuals ). The separation index for the elderly was 2.95 and 4.59 items. Of the 13 items, one did not fit the model, which was justified in the sample evaluated. The pain catastrophizing correlated with most psychosocial factors. The instrument proved to be clinically useful. Subsequent studies should carry out the same analysis in different populations.

O processo de envelhecimento é contínuo e irreversível, no qual podem ser observadas alterações fisiológicas, estruturais e na composição corporal. O objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar valores antropométricos de referência para idosos residentes em comunidade do Nordeste do Brasil, de acordo com sexo e grupo etário. Trata-se de estudo descritivo, baseado em dados originados de uma pesquisa epidemiológica, de base populacional, envolvendo 316 idosos. Foram avaliadas as seguintes medidas e indicadores antropométricos: massa corporal, estatura, índice de massa corporal (IMC), dobra cutânea tricipital (DCT), perímetros da cintura, do braço e da panturrilha e a circunferência muscular do braço (CMB). Os dados foram apresentados como médias, desvios padrões e percentis. Comparações entre grupos etários foram realizadas por Anova one-way. Participaram do estudo 173 mulheres (54,7%) e 143 homens (45,3%). Os valores de massa corporal e IMC foram maiores nas mulheres de 60-64 anos, comparadas às mulheres com 80 anos e mais. Os valores do PB, DCT e da CMB foram menores nas mulheres de 75 anos e mais, comparadas às mulheres do grupo etário de 60-64 anos. Para os homens, os valores de PB e CMB foram menores nos indivíduos do grupo etário velhos (≥ 80 anos), comparado aos homens de 60 a 74 anos Essas diferenças foram significativas. Os resultados indicam a ocorrência de alterações nas dimensões corporais, distintas entre os sexos, com o avanço da idade. A redução da massa muscular e da gordura corporal é mais acentuada nas mulheres e as alterações antropométricas são mais perceptíveis no grupo etário mais velho.

The aging process is continuous and irreversible and is characterized by physiological and structural alterations and changes in body composition. The aim of this study was to report anthropometric reference values for community-dwelling older adults from northeastern Brazilaccording to gender and age group. This cross-sectional study used data from an epidemiological population-based study involving 316 older adults. The following measures and anthropometric indicators were evaluated: weight, height, body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold (TSF), waist circumference, arm circumference, calf circumference, and arm muscle circumference (AMC). All data are reported as means, standard deviations, and percentiles. Comparisons between age groups were performed using one-way ANOVA. The study included 173 women (54.7%) and 143 men (45.3%). Body weight and BMI were higher in younger women (60-64 years) compared to older ones (80 years or older). Arm circumference, TSF and AMC were lower in women aged ≥ 75 years compared to women aged 60-64 years. For men, arm circumference and AMC were lower in the oldest age group (≥ 80 years) compared to the youngest group (60 to 74 years). These differences were significant. The present study indicates that changes in body measures occur differently between genders with advancing age. The reduction in muscle mass and body fat is more prominent in women than in men and anthropometric changes are more noticeable in the older age group.

O objetivo deste estudo é descrever a prevalência de inatividade física e analisar os fatores sociodemográficos, de estilo de vida e condições de saúde associados em idosos do Nordeste brasileiro. Estudo descritivo e de associação, baseado em dados secundários originados de uma pesquisa epidemiológica de base populacional envolvendo 316 idosos. O nível de atividade física foi avaliado por meio do International Physical Activity Questionnaire. As variáveis explanatórias foram: sexo, grupo etário, arranjo familiar, sabe ler e escrever, trabalho remunerado ou voluntário, tabagismo, sintomatologia depressiva, pressão arterial elevada, hiperglicemia em jejum e capacidade funcional. A prevalência da inatividade física foi de 46,5. Os resultados da análise múltipla indicaram que a inatividade física foi positivamente associada ao grupo etário ≥ 80 anos (RP = 2,37), a falta de ocupação (RP = 4,86) e a dependência nas atividades instrumentais de vida diária (RP = 1,47) e nas atividades básicas de vida diária (RP = 1,60). A inatividade física foi altamente prevalente na população estudada, tornando-se imprescindível a discussão de programas que incentivem e possibilite maior adesão à prática da atividade física, tendo em vista o combate a inatividade física e os fatores de risco decorrentes deste comportamento.

The scope of this study is to assess the prevalence of physical inactivity among the elderly in Northeast Brazil and analyze the associated lifestyle and socio-demographic factors and health conditions. The work presented here is a descriptive and association-based study using secondary data derived from a population-based epidemiological study that included 316 elderly participants. The physical activity level of each participant was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The explanatory variables examined in this study were gender, age group, family set-up, ability to read and write, paid or voluntary employment, smoking, symptoms of depression, high blood pressure, fasting hyperglycemia and functional capacity. The prevalence of physical inactivity was 46.5. The results of the multivariate analysis indicated that physical inactivity was positively associated with the age group ≥ 80 years (PR = 2.37), with the lack of an occupation (PR = 4.86) and with dependence on instrumental activities of daily life (PR = 1.47) and basic activities of daily life (PR = 1.60). Physical inactivity was highly prevalent in the surveyed population, making it essential to discuss programs that encourage and enable increased physical activity to combat the risk factors of a sedentary lifestyle.