Socioeconomic and health differentials between two community-dwelling oldest-old groups

Abstracts

OBJETIVO: Identificar diferenciais demográficos e socioeconômicos relacionados ao estado de saúde de idosos mais velhos residentes em duas cidades de regiões diferentes do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo epidemiológico transversal e comparativo de idosos mais velhos (> 80 anos) residentes em Ribeirão Preto (RP-SP) e Caxias do Sul (CS-RS), com amostra probabilística de 117 sujeitos em CS e 155 em RP, realizado entre 2007 e 2008. O instrumento de coleta incluiu dados demográficos e socioeconômicos miniexame do estado mental, Medida de Independência Funcional, número de comorbidades auto-referidas e Escala de Depressão Geriátrica. RESULTADOS: A idade média foi similar, com predominância de mulheres (~70%) e viúvos (~60%) em ambos os municípios. A escolaridade média não diferiu estatisticamente, mas a renda média do idoso foi maior em RP do que em CS (p = 0,05). RP apresentou maior concentração de indivíduos nos extremos de escolaridade e renda do que CS. O escore médio do miniexame do estado mental foi similar entre os dois grupos e maior para indivíduos do sexo masculino, com idade entre 80 e 84 anos, casados e com maior escolaridade. Observou-se melhor desempenho funcional entre idosos de 80 a 84 anos em ambos os municípios, entre os de maior escolaridade em RP; e entre os do sexo masculino e os casados em CS. Idosos de CS apresentaram maior número de comorbidades do que os de RP (p < 0,001). Idosos do sexo masculino, casados e com maior renda apresentaram menos sintomas depressivos em ambos os grupos; os de RP apresentaram maior escore na Escala de Depressão Geriátrica do que os de CS (p < 0,001). CONCLUSÕES: Embora os idosos de CS apresentem menor desigualdade socioeconômica e menos sintomas depressivos, possuem também maior número médio de comorbidades e menor nível de independência funcional, quando comparados aos de RP.

Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais; Transtorno Depressivo; Comorbidade; Fatores Socioeconômicos; Estudos Transversais

OBJETIVO: Identificar diferencias demográficas y socioeconómicas relacionadas con el estado de salud de ancianos más viejos residentes en dos ciudades de diferentes regiones de Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudio epidemiológico transversal y comparativo de ancianos más viejos (>80 años) residentes en Ribeirao Preto (RP - Sureste de Brasil) y Caxias do Sul (Sur), con muestra probabilística de 117 sujetos en CS y 155 en RP, realizados entre 2007 y 2008. El instrumento de colecta incluyó datos demográficos y socioeconómicos mini-examen del estado mental, Medida de Independencia Funcional, número de comorbilidades autoreferidas y Escala de Depresión Geriátrica. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio fue similar, con predominancia de mujeres (~70%) y viudos (~60%) en ambos municipios. La escolaridad promedio no difirió estadísticamente, pero la renta promedio del anciano fue mayor en RP que en CS (p=0,05). RP presentó mayor concentración de individuos en los extremos de escolaridad y renta que CS. El escore promedio del mini-examen del estado mental fue similar entre los dos grupos y mayor para individuos del sexo masculino, con edad entre 80 y 84 años, casados y con mayor escolaridad. Se observó mejor desempeño funcional entre ancianos de 80 a 84 años en ambos municipios, entre los de mayor escolaridad en RP; y entre los de sexo masculino y los casados en CS. Ancianos de CS presentaron mayor número de comorbilidades que los de RP (p<0,001). Ancianos del sexo masculino, casados, y con mayor renta presentaron menos síntomas depresivos en ambos grupos; y los de RP presentaron mayor escores en la Escala de Depresión Geriátrica que los de CS (p<0,001). CONCLUSIONES: Aunque los ancianos de CS presenten menor desigualdad socioeconómica y menos síntomas depresivos, poseen también mayor número promedio de comorbilidades y menor nivel de independencia funcional, al compararlos con los de RP.

Anciano de 80 o más Años; Trastorno Depresivo; Comorbilidad; Factores Socioeconómicos; Estudios Transversales

ARTIGOS ORIGINAIS

^IDepartamento de Enfermagem Geral e Especializada. Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto. Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil

^IIServiço de Medicina Interna. Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil

^IIIDepartamento de Medicina Social. Faculdade de Medicina. USP. Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil

^IVDepartamento de Enfermagem. Centro Universitário Barão de Mauá. Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil

Correspondence

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To identify demographic and socioeconomic differentials associated with the health status of oldest-old individuals living in two cities of different Brazilian regions.

METHODS: A comparative and cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with the oldest-old (> 80 years), living in the cities of Ribeirão Preto (RP, Southeastern Brazil) and Caxias do Sul (CS, Southern). The probabilistic sample included 117 individuals in CS and 155 in RP, and data were collected between 2007 and 2008. The instrument included demographic and socioeconomic data, Mini-Mental State Examination, Functional Independence Measure, number of self-reported comorbidities and Geriatric Depression Scale.

RESULTS: Mean age was similar, with predominance of women (~70%) and widowed individuals (~60%) in both cities. Mean level of education did no differ statistically, although mean income was higher in RP than in CS (p = 0.05). RP showed a higher concentration of individuals in the extreme levels of education and income than that of CS. Mean score of the Mini-Mental State Examination was similar in both groups and higher among men, individuals aged between 80 and 84 years, married and with a higher level of education. Better functional performance was observed in elderly individuals aged between 80 and 84 years in both cities, in those with higher level of education in RP; and in males and married individuals in CS. Elderly individuals in CS showed higher number of comorbidities than those in RP (p < 0.001). Male elderly individuals, married and with -higher income level showed fewer depressive symptoms in both groups; and those in RP showed higher Geriatric Depression Scale score than the others in CS (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Although the oldest old in CS showed lower socioeconomic inequality and fewer depressive symptoms, they also had a higher mean number of comorbidities and lower level of functional independence, when compared to those in RP.

Descriptors: Aged, 80 and over. Depressive Disorder. Comorbidity. Socioeconomic Factors. Cross-Sectional Studies.

INTRODUCTION

The world elderly population (> 60 years) totaled 600 million in 2000 and it is estimated to increase to 1.2 billion in 2025, and 2 billion in 2050. At the moment, approximately two thirds of these elderly individuals live in developing countries, and this proportion will increase to 75% in 2025.¹⁸ Estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO) show that Brazil will be the sixth country in the world in terms of absolute elderly population in 2025.²²

The Brazilian oldest-old population (>80 years) was approximately 600,000 in 1980. In 2000, this number rose to 1.6 million, and it is expected to increase to 9 million in 2020 and 14 million in 2040.^a The oldest-old represent 12.8% of the elderly population and 1.1% of the total Brazilian population.^a The implications of this increase are worrisome for the economy, health and social well-being sectors of any nation.

In addition to the process of demographic transition, Brazil is undergoing a process of epidemiological transition. This transition is characterized by a decrease in mortality from communicable diseases and an increase in mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) and external causes. The morbi-mortality load shifts from younger to older groups and the predominance of mortality is replaced by that of morbidity.¹⁹

Cognitive decline, the presence of comorbidities, functional dependence and depression are among the most common health problems in the elderly, especially in the oldest-old, and also the least investigated by health services. Such health conditions, in adition to being related to each other,^5,14 are important predictors of mortality.^{6, 11}

These changes in demographic and epidemiological profile require reflection aimed at governmental actions and health professionals. Moreover, the national (and regional) culture shapes the way an individual ages, because it influences other determining factors of healthy aging.²² According to Camarano,^b aging is perceived and understood according to cultural variations. This factor becomes important, due to the environmental and cultural diversity existing in Brazil.

The present study aimed to identify demographic and socioeconomic differences associated with the health status of the oldest-old living in two cities of different Brazilian regions, in distinct environmental and cultural contexts.

METHODS

A comparative and cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted with the oldest-old living in the cities of Ribeirão Preto (RP, Southeastern) and Caxias do Sul (CS, Southern), Brazil. In RP, data were collected between May 2007 and February 2008, and in CS, between May and September 2008.

The city of RP has a total population of approximately 550,000 inhabitants; of these, 10.2% are elderly individuals aged > 60 years and 1.2% are oldest-old (> 80 years).^c Life expectancy in the city was 71.7 years and the illiteracy rate was 4.4% in 2000, and per capita gross domestic product (GDP) was R$ 20,139.00 (US$ 11,641.00) in 2006.

The city of CS has a total population of approximately 400,000 inhabitants, 8.4% of elderly individuals aged > 60 years and 0.9% of oldest-old.^c Life expectancy in this city was 74.1 years and the illiteracy rate was 3.7% in 2000, and per capita GDP was R$ 20,923.00 (US$12,094.00) in 2006.

The sampling process was probabilistic, performed by clusters and in two stages. Census tract was considered the primary sampling unit, with a probability proportional to census tract size, identified according to the 2000 Demographic Census (600 census tracts in RP and 406 in CS). In the second stage, the number of elderly individuals in each census tract was established, aiming to maintain the self-weighting sample. This, however, was not possible to achieve due to specific field conditions, such as the absence of residents, refusals, and incorrect information about census tracts. Sampling fractions varied according to census tract: in CS, the global fraction totaled 0.039, and mean fraction was 0.036, with a minimum value of 0.011 and a maximum value of 0.045; in RP, global fraction was 0.024, and mean fraction was 0.026, with a minimum value of 0.005 and a maximum value of 0.083. The census tract block and street, from where the process of search for elderly individuals began, were randomly selected.

As the RP sample was included in a larger sample of elderly individuals in other age groups, census tract size was considered according to the number of households, with a fixed number of 30 selected tracts and at least 110 households to be visited in each tract. For CS, the number of oldest-old individuals was considered to determine the census tract size and a number of 40 selected tracts was established, due to the lower concentration of elderly individuals in this city. A total of three oldest-old individuals per census tract was fixed. Spouses or cohabitants aged > 80 years living with the elderly individuals visited were invited to participate in the study.

Final sample size obtained was comprised of 117 individuals in CS and 155 in RP.

Data collection was conducted in the elderly individuals' homes by previously trained interviewers (undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students).

Age, sex, marital status, the fact of living alone or with other people, level of education (in years), elderly individual's income (in reais and minimum wages), type of residence (owned or not), and type of health service used when care is required were collected by an instrument standardized for this study.

Cognitive state was evaluated through the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), translated and validated in Brazil,³ varying from zero (highest level of cognitive impairment) to 30 (best cognitive capacity).

The investigated comorbidities included the following chronic diseases or health problems: anemia; anxiety/panic disorder; arthritis/arthrosis; asthma/bronchitis; impaired hearing; cancer; broncho-pulmonary disease; diabetes mellitus; depression; cerebrovascular accident; heart disease; upper gastrointestinal disease (ulcer, hernia, reflux); peripheral vascular disease; neurological disease (Parkinson's, Alzheimer's disease); arterial hypertension; urinary and/or fecal incontinence; insomnia; obesity; osteoporosis; constipation; spine problems; impaired sight; dizziness (labyrinthitis, vertigo) or others.

Functional capacity was evaluated through the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), translated and validated in Brazil.¹³ This scale classifies an individual's performance to perform a set of 18 tasks (subcategories) of motor and cognitive domains, in the following categories: self-care, sphincter control, transfers, locomotion, communication and social cognition. Each task is classified in a seven-level scale (1: total dependence; 7: complete independence). Global FIM scoring varies from 18 (highest level of dependence) to 126 points (highest level of independence).

Depressive symptoms were evaluated through the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) with 15 yes/no questions about frequent depressive symptoms in the elderly. The GDS, translated and validated in Brazil by Almeida & Almeida,¹ varies from zero (absence of depressive symptoms) to 15 points (maximum number of depressive symptoms).

Descriptive-exploratory and inferential statistics were used for uni- and bivariate data analysis in the Stata 11.0 software. Analysis followed the correction needed for the sample design, due to the formation of clusters per census tract and the weighting by the inverse of sampling fractions. Rao-Scott test was used to analyze associations, as it considers the influence of sample design.¹² Generalized Wald test⁸ was used to compare the two means, while weighted ANOVA was used for more than two means. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The present research project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo on July 20^th 2006 (protocol 0692/2006).

RESULTS

Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the elderly individuals studied are shown in Table 1. Mean age was similar in both groups (p = 0.19), as well as the distribution in age groups, with predominance in the 80-to-84-year age group. Similar proportion was obtained in the distribution of sex and marital status between both groups, with predominance of women and widowed individuals. In RP, 13.2% lived alone, whereas in CS, this proportion was 26.7% (p = 0.01).

There was a significant difference in level of education between both groups (p = 0.03), with higher concentration of illiterate individuals and others with a higher level of education in RP than in CS. However, the mean number of years of education was similar in both cities.

Mean monthly income of the oldest-old was significantly higher (p = 0.05) in RP than in CS, with a greater proportion of elderly individuals who received less than one minimum wage (MW) in RP and, especially, of those who received more than three MW, when compared to CS, although without statistical significance.

In RP, the 20% with the lowest incomes in the sample showed a mean income of R$ 362.00 (standard-deviation [SD] = 136 or US$ 209.00 - SD = 79), while that of the 20% individuals with the highest incomes was R$ 2,788.00 (SD = 2,115 or US$ 1,612.00 - SD = 932). In CS, such means were R$ 367.00 (SD = 77 or US$ 212.00 - SD = 134) and R$1,223.00 (SD = 763 or US$ 707.00 - SD = 441), respectively. The majority of elderly individuals had their own home, both in RP (64.8%) and CS (75.9%), without a significant difference between the two populations (p = 0.16).

Mean MMSE score was 20.57 (SD = 7.5) in RP and 19.53 (SD = 6.3) in CS. MMSE was significantly and inversely associated with age. Mean was higher in males, in both cities. Married individuals showed higher MMSE scores in both groups, although only statistically significant in RP. The fact of one living alone or with other people was not associated with the MMSE in both groups (Table 2).

The MMSE was significantly and positively associated with level of education. However, there was a significant association with income only in RP: those who received more than three monthly minimum wages obtained the highest MMSE score; the lowest score was observed among those who received one MW, rather than others who received less. In RP, elderly individuals who used the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS - Unified Health System) had a lower MMSE score than those who used a health plan or private health care services.

The mean of total FIM of the oldest-old in RP was 108.2 (SD = 24.27), and that of the oldest-old in CS was 102.9 (SD = 19.86; p = 0.058). By comparing the FIM score between sexes, there was a higher level of independence in men (p < 0.05 only in CS). By distributing the FIM score into age groups, there was a decreasing linear distribution, i.e., a reduction in the level of independence with age in both cities (p < 0.01 for both). Married individuals showed greater functional independence than the remaining ones in both groups, with significant difference only in CS.

Level of education did not show a linear relationship with the FIM score. In CS, individuals with lower score had a lower level of education, while in RP, it was those with five to eight years of education.

Income showed a positive linear relationship with the FIM score in CS only, although not significant. In RP, elderly individuals who received one minimum wage, and not less, showed the lowest FIM score.

The difference in the mean number of comorbidities was significant between both groups (p < 0.001), totaling 5.9 (DP = 2.9) in RP and 7.6 (DP = 2.9) in CS. A higher mean was found among women, although statistically significant only in CS (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the mean of comorbidities between age groups. Individuals who did not live alone reported a higher number of comorbidities than those who lived alone in RP (p < 0.05). Among the subcategories of income, level of education and health service used, there were no significant differences in the distribution of the mean number of comorbidities in both cities (Table 3).

There were significant differences (p = 0.009) in the mean score of depressive symptoms between both cities, i.e., 4.1 (SD = 2.9) in RP and 3.1 (SD = 2.8) in CS. A higher mean was observed in women in both groups, although with statistical significance in CS only (p = 0.03) and with a trend towards significance in RP (p = 0.07). Single elderly individuals showed the highest mean of depressive symptoms. In addition, there were significant differences among age groups in RP only, with the highest mean found in the 85-to-89-year age group. The fact of one living alone, level of education and health services used did not significantly influence the mean of these symptoms in both groups (Table 3).

Elderly individuals who had a higher income showed a lower number of depressive symptoms in both cities, although this was only statistically significant in RP.

DISCUSSION

The mean age of the oldest-old did not differ between the two cities and it is similar to that of other studies with oldest-old individuals living in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil.^10,20 Similarly to these studies, the highest 5-year proportion of oldest-old was found to be distributed in the 80-to-84-year age group (63% in RP and 50% in CS; p = 0.1).^10,20 According to the United Nations Organization,¹⁸ Brazil showed the highest growth rate in the 80-to-84-year age group, among several developing countries, between 2000 and 2005.

The proportion of elderly females (approximately 68%) was considerably higher in both cities and similar to those found in other studies with oldest-old Brazilians.²⁰ This factor is mainly due to women's greater mean life expectancy, when compared to men's. At 80 years of age, mean life expectancy of an elderly woman was 9.9 years in that year, whereas that of an elderly man was one year less.^a Another factor that could have influenced this difference in sex proportion is the greater rural-urban migration of women, once men are more present in typically rural activities.^f Women's greater search for urban life conditions and services is also common among elderly females, including grandmothers, where they could be living with relatives.^f

Marital status was not statistically different between the two groups either, with a predominance of widowed individuals (~ 60% in both), followed by those who were married (~ 33% in RP and 36% in CS). Likewise, in another study with the rural elderly in the same age group, living in Rio Grande do Sul, there was a predominance of 62% of widowed individuals and 29% of married ones.¹⁰ Considering the mean life expectancy of a Brazilian as 72.8 years in 2008^a and the mean age in the present study, a relevant proportion of widowed individuals was expected to be present among the oldest-old.

The proportion of individuals living alone in CS was higher (27%) than in RP (13%; p = 0.01). The choice of living alone could only reflect personal preferences and be a temporary stage in an individual's life cycle. Moreover, there is a higher proportion of oldest-old Brazilians living alone, compared to the younger elderly, and this difference increased with time.^b

Although level of education was similar in both groups, there was a greater proportion of illiterate elderly individuals and others with a high level of education in RP than in CS, reflecting the greater social inequality in the former. Mean level of education in the present study was higher than that of the oldest-old living in a small city of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (2.6; SD = 2.8).²⁰ This difference could be the result of social opportunities in the urban environment and the time difference of approximately one decade between studies. These social contexts, observed in such areas, are at least partly due to the distinct forms of colonization existing at that time. In the state of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, there was the prevalence of ownership of large areas of land, and the industrial activity developed in a capitalist and urban context, whereas the state of Rio Grande do Sul had an emphasis on rural areas, where settlements were formed and settlers had a constructive approach to living.

The results showed that the mean income of elderly individuals living in RP was higher than that of others in CS. In RP, however, there was a slightly higher proportion of individuals who received less than one MW, and especially of those who received more than three MW, compared to others in CS. Mean income of the 20% wealthiest elderly individuals in RP was approximately 7.7 times higher than that of the 20% poorest ones. This difference was about 3.3 times in CS. In fact, in 2000, RP showed a Gini index of 45 in 2000. This index was 40 in CS,^c thus indicating greater inequality in income distribution in RP.

The proportion of individuals who used health plans (63% in CS and 49% in RP), instead of the SUS (35% in CS and 45% in RP), was especially higher in CS. In contrast, the Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios de 1998 (PNAD - 1998 National Household Sample Survey) showed that 27% of elderly Brazilians in general had a private health plan, with a slight decrease with age (24.4% at the age of 80 years or more),⁹ considerably lower than the findings of the present study. Approximately one decade later, the 2007 PNAD showed only a slight increase in the proportion of elderly individuals in general who had a health plan (29%).^f The fact that the elderly individuals with a higher level of education live in urban area of medium- and large-sized cities and the high per capita GDP might have contributed to better retirement pensions and promoted the use of health plans.

The similarity of the mean MMSE score of both elderly groups was expected, once mean age, level of education and the distribution of sexes, which are the main determinants of the MMSE score in healthy elderly individuals, did not vary between these groups either.^2,3 These results are similar to those found among the oldest-old living in the city of Veranópolis, Southern Brazil, with a mean of 21.1 points (SD = 4.4) in the MMSE.²

Elderly males aged between 80 and 84 years, married and with a higher level of education performed better in the MMSE in both cities, with statistical significance in RP only (p < 0.05). In CS, such associations showed this significance for age, level of education and sex, and a trend towards significance for marital status. These associations between MMSE and demographic variables are in accordance with those found in other studies.^2,10 Although the mean MMSE score was higher among elderly individuals with higher income and those who used health plans in both groups, this difference was only statistically significant for those living in RP, probably reflecting the effect of their greater socioeconomic inequality. RP had higher proportions of elderly individuals between the extremes of level of education and income, when compared to those of CS.

Elderly individuals from RP showed a higher level of independence than those from CS (p = 0.05). This difference can be partly explained by the greater proportion of elderly individuals with comorbidities in the latter city. Inverse associations between the presence of comorbidities and functional capacity of elderly individuals in general were also observed in other national^14,15 and international studies.^4,16

The level of functional dependence was higher between elderly males and those who were married, although statistically significant only in CS. Functional independence varied inversely with age in both groups. The fact that mean age was slightly lower and the proportion of elderly individuals aged between 80 and 84 years was slightly higher in RP than in CS may have contributed to a higher level of functional independence in the former city. These associations are similar to those of other national¹⁵ and international studies.¹⁶

The mean number of self-reported comorbidities was significantly higher in CS than in RP (7.6 and 5.9, respectively; p < 0.001). In CS, all elderly individuals reported at least one chronic disease; in RP, 98% did this. Data from the 1998 PNAD showed that 75% of elderly individuals aged 80 years or more reported having at least one chronic disease from a list of eight diseases,⁹ whereas, in the present study, 23 diseases were considered.

Elderly women had a higher mean number of comorbidities and depressive symptoms than men. Sex and depressive state are associated with a higher number of diseases reported.^4,10 In general, women are more concerned about and care more for their health state and more frequently seek health services than men.⁹ This promotes a higher number of diagnoses received.

The number of comorbidities did not show a linear and statistically significant correlation to socioeconomic characteristics, such as level of education and income. Elderly individuals who lived alone showed a higher mean of comorbidities only in RP. However, they did not differ in terms of functional or cognitive performance, when compared to those who did not live alone, which indicates that the number of comorbidities did not significantly interfere with the FIM score.

Depressive elderly individuals tend to show higher prevalences of undiagnosed physical morbidities.¹⁷ This could partly explain the lower mean number of comorbidities among the elderly in RP, who had a higher mean number of depressive symptoms.

The number of depressive symptoms was not significantly higher in older age groups, whether in RP or CS, thus corroborating the findings of another study with the oldest-old in Rio Grande do Sul.¹⁰ However, national⁷ and international studies²¹ show that age is positively associated with the increase in depressive symptoms among elderly in general.

Although elderly individuals living in RP had a lower mean number of comorbidities and better level of functional independence, paradoxically, they also had a higher mean number of depressive symptoms than those in CS. It is possible that certain physical diseases are underreported, due to the elderly individuals' depressive state.¹⁷

The variables approached in this study can be modulated by other relevant factors which were not analyzed here. Both cities are similar in terms of population sizes and GDP. However, other natural aspects that diverge from each other could be mentioned, such as the local climate and geography, in addition to different cultural contexts related to lifestyle, which, in their turn, may influence the health state of a population. This could be further clarified by other studies that dealt with such factors.

Population aging means a higher disease load in the population, in addition to disabilities and an increase in health service use. Prevention becomes the key to change the current context and it has been found to be effective on any level, including the more advanced stages of life.¹⁹

The identification of health conditions in the oldest-old enables guided interventions, so that their demands are met and their quality of life is improved. Moreover, the adoption of preventive measures against pathological aging can contribute not only to a reduction in health system costs, but also in the total costs to society in general. Adequate planning, aimed at the actual needs of this population also contributes to the well-being, independence and dignity of the elderly, enabling healthy aging, where quality of life is aggregated to years, rather than just years being added to life.

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Socioeconomic and health differentials between two community-dwelling oldest-old groups

Idiane Rosset^I ; Matheus Roriz-Cruz^II ; Jair Licio F Santos^III ; Vanderlei J Haas^I ; Suzele C C Fabrício-Wehbe^IV ; Rosalina A P Rodrigues^I

^d

^e

Oldest-old individuals aged > 80 years, who lived in these communities and had signed an informed consent form were eligible to participate in the study. By considering the total population aged > 80 years in the cities of CS (3,546) and RP (6,797) and applying finite population correction, the sample sizes obtained were n = 100 and n = 145, respectively. By admitting a non-response rate of 20%, the final sample size was n = 120 for CS and n = 174 for RP.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  04 Mar 2011
• Date of issue
  Apr 2011

History

• Received
  06 Nov 2009
• Accepted
  18 Oct 2010