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Self-perceived health and clinical-functional vulnerability of the elderly in Belo Horizonte/Minas Gerais

La percepción de salud y vulnerabilidad clínico-funcional de mayores de Belo Horizonte/Minas Gerais

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To determine the self-perceived health status and clinical-functional vulnerability of the elderly attended at a Reference Center of Minas Gerais, Brazil and to evaluate the association between these variables through the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index (IVCF-20) instrument.

Method:

This is an epidemiological, retrospective study of 311 medical records. Statistical analyses were performed using the Stata program; the evaluations were by Pearson’s Chi-square test and Poisson regression models.

Results:

The majority of the elderly presented negative self-perceived health status(70.10%); there was statistical significance between negative self-perceived health and the variables of mood and recent hospitalization.

Conclusion:

Perceived health status influences the morbidity and mortality of the elderly. Mood disorders and recent hospitalizations directly interfere with active aging.

Descriptors:
Self-image; Epidemiology; Perception; Health of the Elderly; Vulnerability in Health

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E-mail: reben@abennacional.org.br