Resumo em Espanhol:

El presente documento reseña la metodología de la encuesta SABE y los desafíos que impone a la sociedad en general y a los servicios de salud en particular el rápido envejecimiento de la población en América Latina y el Caribe. La Región esta envejeciendo a un ritmo que no se ha observado en el mundo desarrollado, y la evaluación de problemas de salud y discapacidad indica que los adultos mayores están envejeciendo con más limitaciones funcionales y peor salud que sus semejantes en países desarrollados. Además, las redes familiares están cambiando rápidamente y tienen menos capacidad de suplir la falta de protección social institucional. El estudio multicéntrico SABE se creó con el objetivo de evaluar el estado de salud de las personas adultas mayores de siete ciudades de América Latina y el Caribe: Buenos Aires, Argentina; Bridgetown, Barbados; La Habana, Cuba; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; México, D.F., México y São Paulo, Brasil. La encuesta SABE establece el punto de partida para la investigación sistemática del envejecimiento en zonas urbanas de la Región de América Latina y el Caribe. Se recomienda que estudios de estas características y con este ánimo comparativo se extiendan a otros países, zonas y regiones, para enriquecer el conocimiento sobre las personas adultas mayores.

Resumo em Inglês:

This document outlines the methodology of the Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (Health, Well-Being, and Aging) survey (known as the "SABE survey"), and it also summarizes the challenges that the rapid aging of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean imposes on society in general and especially on health services. The populations of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are aging at a rate that has not been seen in the developed world. The evaluation of health problems and disability among older adults in those countries indicates that those persons are aging with more functional limitations and worse health than is true for their counterparts in developed nations. In addition, family networks in Latin America and the Caribbean are changing rapidly and have less capacity to make up for the lack of protections provided by social institutions. The multicenter SABE study was developed with the objective of evaluating the state of health of older adults in seven cities of Latin America and the Caribbean: Bridgetown, Barbados; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Havana, Cuba; Mexico City, Mexico; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; and São Paulo, Brazil. The SABE survey has established the starting point for systematic research on aging in urban areas of Latin America and the Caribbean. Comparative studies of these characteristics and with this comparative nature should be extended to other countries, areas, and regions of the world in order to expand the knowledge available on older adults.

Resumo em Espanhol:

OBJETIVOS: Evaluar el autoinforme de salud general (ASG) como indicador de salud y analizar sus covariables en personas de 60 años de edad o más que residían en hogares privados en siete centros urbanos de América Latina y el Caribe. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo transversal basado en los datos de la encuesta Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (SABE) realizada entre 1999 y 2000 en: Bridgetown, Barbados; Buenos Aires, Argentina; México, D.F., México; Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; y São Paulo, Brasil. Se exploraron las características demográficas y socioeconómicas de los participantes, algunos indicadores de salud (autoinforme de enfermedades crónicas, padecimiento de depresión y elementos cognoscitivos), la red social y familiar de apoyo, el uso de los servicios de salud, la funcionalidad informada y observada, los ingresos del encuestado y los bienes de consumo duraderos en su vivienda. En los modelos de regresión (probit) se utilizó una salud regular o mala según el autoinforme como variable dependiente. Se empleó el efecto marginal de cada variable explicativa categórica para indicar la diferencia entre la probabilidad de informar mala salud de las personas que tenían y de las que no tenían una característica dada. RESULTADOS: En todas las ciudades estudiadas fue muy baja la propensión a informar salud "excelente" (6% o menos). Los resultados del análisis con múltiples variables de la relación entre el ASG mala o regular y las covariables mostraron: 1) la importancia relativa de varios indicadores de salud como covariables del ASG; 2) la asociación entre las características sociodemográficas y el ASG; y 3) las diferencias o similitudes encontradas entre los siete centros urbanos con respecto a las relaciones estudiadas. La proporción de autoinforme de buena salud fue mayor en Buenos Aires y Montevideo (60%), seguidas de Bridgetown y São Paulo (alrededor de 50%) y de Ciudad de La Habana, Santiago y México, D.F. (entre 30 y 40%). La evaluación de la propia memoria fue el factor más fuertemente asociado con el resultado del ASG, seguido de la satisfacción con el estado nutricional y con la vida. CONCLUSIONES: El ASG captó múltiples facetas de la salud de los adultos mayores, como el padecimiento de enfermedades crónicas, su grado de satisfacción con el nivel de nutrición y con la vida, su percepción del estado de la propia memoria y los problemas de funcionalidad que sufrían. Se deben emprender estudios más detallados que permitan establecer el papel que desempeña la salud emocional en la demanda de atención sanitaria de los adultos mayores en América Latina y el Caribe y determinar si existe alguna asociación entre el ASG y el uso de los servicios de salud.

Resumo em Inglês:

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate self-reported general health (SRGH) as a health indicator and to analyze its covariates in people 60 years old or older living in private homes in seven cities of Latin America and the Caribbean. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive study was based on data from the Health, Well-Being, and Aging survey (Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento, or "SABE survey"), which was carried out in 1999 and 2000 in Bridgetown, Barbados; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Havana, Cuba; Mexico City, Mexico; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; and São Paulo, Brazil. The survey looked at the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the participants, several health indicators (self-reported chronic diseases, depression, and cognitive features), the social and family support network, the use of health services, reported and observed functionality, the respondent's income, and the durable consumer goods in the household. In probit regression models, self-reported fair or poor health was used as the dependent variable. The marginal effect of each categorical explanatory variable was used to indicate the difference between the probability of reporting poor health by persons who did or did not have a given characteristic. RESULTS: In all the cities studied the self-reporting of "excellent" health was very low (6% or less). The results of the multivariate analysis of the relationships between SRGH and covariates showed: (1) the relative importance of several health indicators as covariates of SRGH, (2) the association between sociodemographic characteristics and SRGH, and (3) the differences or similarities found among the seven cities with respect to the relationships studied. The level of self-rated good health was highest in Buenos Aires and Montevideo (60%), followed by Bridgetown and São Paulo (around 50%) and Havana, Santiago, and Mexico City (between 30% and 40%). The respondents' evaluation of their memory was the factor that was most strongly related to SRGH, followed by satisfaction with nutritional status and satisfaction with life. CONCLUSIONS: The SRGH captured multiple facets of the health of the older adults, such as suffering from chronic diseases, the degree of satisfaction with the level of nutrition and with life, perception of memory, and any functional problems. More detailed studies should be undertaken to try to determine the role that the emotional health of older adults in Latin America and the Caribbean plays in the demand for health care, and to determine if there is some association between SRGH and the use of health services.

Resumo em Português:

OBJETIVO: Investigar a influência de determinantes demográficos e socioeconômicos, das doenças crônicas e da capacidade funcional sobre a autopercepção de saúde entre os idosos do Município de São Paulo e verificar a existência de diferenças entre os sexos quanto à autopercepção de saúde. MÉTODOS: O estudo foi desenvolvido com base em dados do Projeto Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento na América Latina e Caribe (SABE). Foram analisados os dados de 2 135 idosos (sendo 58,6% mulheres; idade média e mediana = 69,4 e 68,0 anos). A variável dependente foi a autopercepção de saúde (ruim ou boa). As variáveis independentes foram: as demográficas (idade, sexo, estado conjugal e arranjo familiar), as socioeconômicas (educação e renda), o número de doenças crônicas (hipertensão, artrite ou reumatismo, doença cardiovascular, diabetes, asma, bronquite ou enfisema, embolia ou acidente vascular cerebral e câncer) e a capacidade funcional. Para estimar a associação entre a autopercepção de saúde e as variáveis independentes e estudar as diferenças entre os sexos, foi realizada uma análise de regressão logística binária múltipla. RESULTADOS: A presença de doenças crônicas associada ao sexo do idoso foi o determinante mais fortemente relacionado à autopercepção de saúde no Município de São Paulo. Para os homens, a presença de quatro ou mais doenças crônicas implicou um risco 10,53 vezes maior de uma autopercepção ruim de saúde. Para as mulheres, esse risco foi 8,31 vezes maior. A capacidade funcional, o nível de escolaridade e a renda também foram altamente associados com a percepção de saúde, e a idade teve uma significativa influência. Na ausência de doenças crônicas, ou na presença de duas ou mais doenças crônicas, as mulheres idosas tiveram maior probabilidade de relatar uma boa autopercepção de saúde em comparação com os homens. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados indicam a necessidade de ações integradas que abordem simultaneamente os principais fatores determinantes da autopercepção de saúde como forma de promover o bem-estar e a qualidade de vida dos idosos.

Resumo em Inglês:

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the influence that demographic determinants, socioeconomic determinants, chronic diseases, and functional capacity have on self-rated health among elderly persons (60 years and older) living in the city of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, and to investigate the existence of differences between men and women in terms of their self-rated health. METHODS: The study was carried out using data collected in the city of São Paulo as part of a project called Health, Well-being, and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean (the "SABE project"). We analyzed data on 2 135 elderly individuals (58.6% women; mean age, 69.4 years; median age, 68.0 years). The dependent variable was self-rated health (good or poor). The following independent variables were considered: (1) demographic ones (age, sex, marital status, and living arrangements (whether the elderly person lived alone or with others)), (2) socioeconomic ones (schooling and income), (3) the number of chronic diseases (hypertension, arthritis or rheumatism, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis or emphysema, embolism or stroke, and cancer), and (4) functional capacity. To estimate the association between self-rated health and the independent variables and to study gender differences, a multiple binary logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The presence of chronic diseases in association with gender was the strongest determinant of self-rated health among the elderly in São Paulo. Among men with four or more chronic diseases, they were 10.53 times as likely to characterize their health as poor; among women with four or more chronic diseases, the ratio was 8.31. Functional capacity, schooling, and income were also strongly associated with self-rated health, and the influence of age was significant. The elderly women were more likely to report good self-rated health than were men when the women or men either had no chronic diseases or had two or more. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the need for simultaneous, comprehensive actions in the health sector, social services, and the economic sector to address the main determinants of self-rated health in order to promote well-being and quality of life among the elderly.

Resumo em Espanhol:

OBJETIVO: Determinar la contribución relativa de sucesos del pasado y experiencias del presente al estado de salud de las personas de edad en Barbados, a fin de idear intervenciones sanitarias oportunas para esa población. MÉTODOS: La información usada para este estudio de prevalencia se recogió en Barbados entre diciembre de 1999 y junio de 2000 como parte del "proyecto SABE," encuesta multicéntrica efectuada en siete centros urbanos de América Latina y el Caribe para evaluar los factores que inciden en la salud y el bienestar de las personas de edad (de 60 años o más). Mediante regresión logística para datos ordinales se modelaron los factores que inciden en el estado de salud autonotificado, y también se evaluó la contribución relativa de algunos indicadores socioeconómicos del pasado, así como la de tres grupos de factores modificables, relativos al momento presente, con valor pronóstico -indicadores de situación socioeconómica, factores de riesgo asociados con el estilo de vida e indicadores de enfermedad-, usando medidas sencillas para calcular el grado de asociación y el ajuste del modelo. RESULTADOS: Los sucesos del pasado que tuvieron un efecto determinante sobre la salud explicaron 5,2% de la variación del estado de salud autonotificado, cifra que se redujo a 2,0% cuando se tuvo en cuenta la mediación de experiencias del presente. Los indicadores de la situación socioeconómica actual explicaron 4,1% de la variación en el estado de salud autonotificado; los factores de riesgo relacionados con el estilo de vida explicaron 7,1%, y los indicadores de enfermedad actual, 33,5%. CONCLUSIONES: Las experiencias pasadas de orden socioeconómico influyeron sobre el estado de salud autonotificado por ancianos barbadenses. Más de la mitad de la influencia ejercida por sucesos pasados se vio mediada por experiencias del presente relacionadas con la situación socioeconómica, el estilo de vida y la presencia de enfermedades. El cuidado de los enfermos y la reducción de los factores de riesgo relacionados con el estilo de vida son aspectos de importancia que deben tenerse presentes al prestarles apoyo a las personas que son ancianas en la actualidad. Además, los programas que están en marcha ahora para reducir la pobreza y aumentar el acceso a la atención de salud y a la educación deben considerarse estrategias de largo plazo orientadas a mejorar la salud de los ancianos del futuro.

Resumo em Inglês:

OBJECTIVE: To understand the relative contribution of past events and of current experiences as determinants of health status among the elderly in the Caribbean nation of Barbados, in order to help develop timely public health interventions for that population. METHODS: The information for this prevalence study was collected in Barbados between December 1999 and June 2000 as part of the "SABE project," a multicenter survey in seven urban areas of Latin America and the Caribbean that evaluated determinants of health and well-being in elderly populations (persons 60 and older). We used ordinal logistic regression to model determinants of self-reported health status, and we assessed the relative contribution of historical socioeconomic indicators and of three current modifiable predictor groups (current socioeconomic indicators, lifestyle risk factors, and disease indicators), using simple measures of association and model fit. RESULTS: Historical determinants of health status accounted for 5.2% of the variation in reported health status, and this was reduced to 2.0% when mediating current experiences were considered. Current socioeconomic indicators accounted for 4.1% of the variation in reported health status, lifestyle risk factors for 7.1%, and current disease indicators for 33.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Past socioeconomic experience influenced self-reported health status in elderly Barbadians. Over half of this influence from past events was mediated through current socioeconomic, lifestyle, and disease experiences. Caring for the sick and reducing lifestyle risk factors should be important considerations in the support of the current elderly. In addition, ongoing programs for poverty reduction and increased access to health care and education should be considered as long-term strategies to improve the health of the future elderly.

Resumo em Espanhol:

OBJETIVO: Identificar la relación entre determinadas enfermedades crónicas y la presencia de discapacidad en habitantes de 60 años o más de siete centros urbanos de América Latina y el Caribe que participaron en el estudio multicéntrico Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (SABE). MÉTODOS: En 2000 y 2001 se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal con una muestra de 10 891 personas de 60 años o más que residían en siete ciudades de la Región: Bridgetown, Barbados; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba; México, D.F., México; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile, y São Paulo, Brasil. Las variables dependientes fueron la dificultad para realizar actividades básicas y actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria (ABVD y AIVD, respectivamente). Las variables independientes, recopiladas mediante autoinforme, fueron la edad, el sexo, el nivel educacional, el vivir solo o acompañado, la evaluación de la propia salud y la presencia o no de hipertensión arterial, diabetes mellitus, cáncer, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, cardiopatía isquémica (CI), enfermedades cerebrovasculares (ECV) y artrosis. Se evaluó la presencia de depresión y deterioro cognoscitivo en los participantes y se calculó su índice de masa corporal. Para comparar el grado de influencia de las diferentes variables sobre la discapacidad, se calculó un coeficiente estandarizado para cada caso. RESULTADOS: Las variables que mostraron una asociación directa con dificultades para realizar ABVD y AIVD en las ciudades estudiadas fueron: padecer de un mayor número de enfermedades no transmisibles, de ECV o de artrosis, así como tener mayor edad, ser mujer, evaluar la salud propia como mala, tener deterioro cognoscitivo y padecer de depresión. En general, las asociaciones más fuertes se encontraron entre la dificultad para realizar AIVD, por un lado, y por el otro la depresión, mayor edad, la evaluación de la salud propia como mala y la presencia de ECV, artrosis o deterioro cognoscitivo. CONCLUSIONES: Se ofrece por primera vez una descripción sistematizada de la asociación entre la presencia de discapacidad y de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles en adultos mayores en América Latina y el Caribe. Como las dificultades de los adultos mayores para realizar AIVD son las primeras en aparecer, se deben establecer mecanismos de seguimiento que permitan detectar tempranamente este tipo de discapacidad.

Resumo em Inglês:

OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship between selected chronic diseases and the presence of disability in inhabitants 60 years old or older in seven cities of Latin America and the Caribbean. METHODS: In 2000 and 2001 a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 10 891 persons 60 or older in seven cities: Bridgetown, Barbados; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Havana, Cuba; Mexico City, Mexico; Montevideo, Uruguay; Santiago, Chile; and São Paulo, Brazil. This research was part of the Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento (Health, Well-Being, and Aging) project (known as the "SABE project"). The dependent variables in the study were difficulty in performing basic activities of daily living, and difficulty in performing instrumental activities of daily living. Compiled from self-reports, the independent variables were: age, sex, educational level, living alone or with other person(s), self-assessed health, and the presence or not of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, and osteoarthritis. The presence of depression and cognitive impairment in the participants was evaluated, and body mass index was also calculated. To compare the degree of influence of the different variables on disability, a standardized coefficient for each association was calculated. RESULTS: In the seven cities studied, the variables that showed a direct association with difficulty in carrying out basic activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living were: suffering from a higher number of noncommunicable diseases, from cerebrovascular diseases, from osteoarthritis, or from depression; being older; being female; rating one's own health as bad; and experiencing cognitive impairment. In general the strongest associations were between difficulty in carrying out instrumental activities of daily living and depression, being older, reporting one's health as bad, and the presence of cerebrovascular diseases, osteoarthritis, or cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Our research provides the first systematized description of the associations between disability and chronic noncommunicable diseases in older adults in Latin America and the Caribbean. Difficulties that older adults have in carrying out instrumental activities of daily living are the first ones to appear. Therefore, follow-up mechanisms should be established that make possible the early detection of this type of disability.

Resumo em Espanhol:

OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de caídas y de sus factores de riesgo en ancianos que habitan en el seno de la comunidad en América Latina y el Caribe y en ancianos mexicanoestadounidenses que viven en la zona sudoeste de Estados Unidos. MÉTODOS: Los datos usados para el estudio procedieron del proyecto Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento en América Latina y el Caribe (proyecto "SABE") (encuestas en siete ciudades que abarcaron a un total de 9 765 personas) y de las Poblaciones Hispanas Establecidas para Estudios Epidemiológicos en Ancianos [Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE)] (1 483 personas). RESULTADOS: La prevalencia general de caídas en personas de edad en las siete ciudades que participaron en el proyecto SABE varió de 21,6% en Bridgetown, Barbados, a 34,0% en Santiago, Chile. Según análisis de regresión logística, el ser de sexo femenino, tener más edad, y tener síntomas de depresión profunda o alguna limitación funcional fueron factores de riesgo asociados de forma independiente y estadísticamente significativa con las caídas en personas de edad en la mayor parte de las ciudades estudiadas, así como en ancianos mexicanoestadounidenses. En varias ciudades también fueron factores de riesgo estadísticamente significativos la diabetes, la incontinencia urinaria y la artritis. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de caídas varió mucho entre los países estudiados. Algunos de los factores de riesgo identificados se podrían modificar a fin de prevenir las caídas en personas de edad avanzada en estas poblaciones. Los factores a los que se debe prestar atención son los síntomas de depresión, las limitaciones funcionales, la diabetes y la incontinencia urinaria.

Resumo em Inglês:

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of and risk factors for falls among community-dwelling elders in Latin America and the Caribbean and among elderly Mexican-Americans in the southwestern United States. METHODS: Data for the study came from a project called Health, Well-Being, and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean (Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento en América Latina y el Caribe) (the "SABE project") (surveys from seven cities, with a total of 9 765 subjects) and from the Hispanic Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE) (1 483 subjects). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of falls across the seven SABE cities and the H-EPESE ranged from 21.6% in Bridgetown, Barbados, to 34.0% in Santiago, Chile. In multiple logistic regression analyses, female gender, increased age, high depressive symptoms, and having any functional limitations were significant independent risk factors for falls in most of the cities studied as well as among the elderly Mexican-Americans. In several of the cities, significant risk factors also included diabetes, urinary incontinence, and arthritis. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of falls had a large variation among the countries studied. Some of the risk factors that we identified could be modified so as to help prevent falls in older people in these populations. The factors deserving attention include depressive symptoms, functional limitations, diabetes, and urinary incontinence.

Resumo em Português:

OBJETIVO: Apresentar os resultados do Projeto Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento na América Latina e Caribe (SABE) no que tange ao desempenho funcional, às demandas assistenciais e aos arranjos familiares dos idosos do Município de São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Em 2000, foram entrevistados 2 143 indivíduos com 60 anos ou mais, utilizando-se o questionário padronizado do SABE. A amostra foi obtida em dois estágios, utilizando-se setores censitários com reposição e com probabilidade proporcional à população. A complementação da amostra de pessoas de 75 anos ou mais foi realizada através da localização de moradias próximas aos setores selecionados. Os dados finais foram ponderados, de forma a serem expandidos. O desempenho funcional foi medido pela capacidade dos idosos de executar atividades básicas de vida diária (ABVD, atravessar um cômodo da casa, comer, deitar-se e levantar da cama, usar o vaso sanitário, vestir-se e despir-se e tomar banho) e atividades instrumentais de vida diária (AIVD, comprar e preparar alimentos, realizar tarefas domésticas leves e pesadas, ir a outros lugares sozinho, usar o telefone, tomar os próprios medicamentos e manejar dinheiro), sendo a limitação funcional (demanda assistencial) definida como a necessidade de ajuda para executar pelo menos uma dessas atividades. Os 66 tipos de arranjos domiciliares identificados foram agrupados em sete categorias, de acordo com a presença ou não de co-residentes e o grau de parentesco entre o idoso e os co-residentes. RESULTADOS: Dos entrevistados, 19,2% apresentaram limitações funcionais nas atividades básicas e 26,5% nas atividades instrumentais, sendo a maior proporção entre mulheres e na velhice avançada. A proporção de idosos com limitações que recebeu ajuda variou, nas atividades básicas, de 25,6% (para deitar-se e levantar da cama) a 70,5% (para comer), e nas instrumentais, de 79,7% (para a execução de tarefas domésticas leves) a 97,8% (para comprar alimentos). Quanto aos arranjos familiares, a maioria dos idosos morava com o cônjuge e os filhos ou apenas com os filhos (32,1%) ou somente com o cônjuge (20,0%). O arranjo domiciliar em que a maior proporção de idosos com limitação funcional recebia ajuda (56,4%) foi aquele no qual o idoso residia também com não-familiares. CONCLUSÃO: Os idosos com limitações funcionais não estão sendo assistidos suficientemente pela família ou co-residentes, e as políticas públicas não suprem esse déficit assistencial. Dado o acelerado processo de envelhecimento da população, o sistema de assistência corre o risco de se tornar não só insuficiente, mas caótico.

Resumo em Inglês:

OBJECTIVES: To describe the functional performance, need for assistance, and living arrangements of elderly persons in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, as part of a project called Health, Well-being, and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean (the "SABE project"). METHODS: In 2000, 2 143 individuals 60 years of age or older were interviewed, using the standardized SABE questionnaire. The sample was obtained in two stages, using census sectors with replacement and probability proportional to population. To have the desired number of respondents 75 or older, additional homes close to the selected census sectors were found, with weighting of the final results. The functional performance of the elderly persons was measured in terms of their ability to perform basic activities of daily living (walking across a room, eating, lying down on a bed and getting up from it, using the bathroom, dressing and undressing, and bathing) and to carry out instrumental activities of daily living (buying and preparing food, performing light and heavy household chores, using the telephone, taking medications, and handling money). Functional impairment was defined as the need for assistance in performing at least one of the basic or instrumental activities. There were 66 types of living arrangements (household composition) identified and grouped into seven categories, according to with whom an elderly person lived and whether the other residents of the household were relatives or not. RESULTS: Of the individuals interviewed, 19.2% presented a functional impairment in basic activities and 26.5% in instrumental activities. The impairments were more common among women and among persons 75 or older. The proportion of elderly persons with an impairment who received help with basic activities ranged from 25.6% (lying down on the bed and getting up) to 70.5% (eating). With instrumental activities, the proportion receiving assistance ranged from 79.7% (light domestic chores) to 97.8% (buying food). With respect to living arrangements, the single largest group (32.1%) of elderly persons lived with the spouse and children or with just the children; the next largest group (20.0%) lived with just the spouse. The living arrangement in which the highest proportion (56.4%) of elderly persons with functional impairments received help was living with nonrelatives. CONCLUSIONS: The elderly persons with functional impairments in São Paulo are not receiving enough assistance from their family members or other persons with whom they live. Further, there are no public policies in Brazil to fill this gap. Taking into account the country's aging population, the health care system in Brazil is at risk of becoming not only inadequate but chaotic.

Resumo em Português:

OBJETIVO: Determinar, para indivíduos com 60 anos ou mais no ano de 2000, no Município de São Paulo, por sexo e idade, a expectativa de vida livre de e com incapacidade funcional e, neste último caso, mensurar os anos a serem vividos com e sem dependência. MÉTODO: As estimativas de expectativa de vida livre de incapacidade funcional, expectativa de vida com incapacidade funcional, expectativa de vida com incapacidade funcional e sem dependência e expectativa de vida com incapacidade funcional e dependência foram geradas a partir da construção de uma tabela de sobrevivência, conforme o método descrito por Sullivan. Os dados básicos utilizados para o cálculo das expectativas foram o número estimado de idosos no Município em meados de 2000, obtido a partir dos censos demográficos de 1991 e 2000, e as informações sobre óbitos na população idosa, obtidas da Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados (SEADE). As taxas de prevalência de incapacidade funcional e dependência foram calculadas a partir dos dados sobre as atividades de vida diária do Projeto Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento na América Latina e Caribe (SABE). As atividades de vida diária contempladas no SABE são: vestir-se, comer, tomar banho, ir ao banheiro, deitar-se e levantar da cama e atravessar um cômodo da casa. A incapacidade funcional foi definida como a dificuldade em realizar uma ou mais atividades de vida diária. A dependência foi definida como a necessidade de auxílio para realizar pelo menos uma atividade. RESULTADOS: Em 2000, ao atingir os 60 anos, os homens paulistanos podiam esperar viver, em média, 17,6 anos, dos quais 14,6 (83%) seriam vividos livres de incapacidade funcional. As mulheres na mesma idade podiam esperar viver 22,2 anos, dos quais 16,4 anos (74%) seriam livres de incapacidade funcional. Dos anos com incapacidade funcional, os homens viveriam 1,6 ano (9%) com dependência, contra 2,5 anos (11%) para as mulheres. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de as mulheres idosas paulistanas terem apresentado maior expectativa de vida do que os homens, foi menor a proporção de anos vividos livres de incapacidade funcional. O número de anos com incapacidade funcional e dependência também foi maior entre as mulheres. As políticas públicas devem levar em conta as diferentes necessidades das mulheres e homens idosos, assim como outras especificidades dessa população.

Resumo em Inglês:

OBJECTIVE: For persons 60 years of age or older living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, in the year 2000 to estimate four characteristics: (1) life expectancy free of functional disability, (2) life expectancy with functional disability, (3) life expectancy with functional disability but without dependence, and (4) life expectancy with functional disability and dependence. METHODS: The estimates of the four characteristics were calculated by means of a life table constructed based on the method proposed by Sullivan. The basic data used for the calculations were the elderly population estimated for the city of São Paulo as of mid-2000, obtained from the demographic censuses of 1991 and 2000, and deaths in the elderly population, obtained from the State Data Analysis System Foundation (Fundação Sistema Estadual de Análise de Dados, or SEADE) of the state of São Paulo. The prevalences of functional disability and of functional dependence were calculated based on data concerning activities of daily living collected in the city of São Paulo as part of a project called Health, Well-being, and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean (the "SABE project"). The activities of daily living considered were: dressing, eating, bathing, using the bathroom, lying down on the bed and getting up from it, and walking across a room. Functional disability was defined as difficulty in performing one or more of the activities of daily living. Dependence was defined as the need for help in performing at least one of the activities of daily living. RESULTS: In 2000, 60-year-old men from the city of São Paulo could expect to live, on average, 17.6 years, of which 14.6 years (83%) would be free of functional disability. Women of the same age could expect to live 22.2 years, of which 16.4 years (74%) would be free of functional disability. Men would have a functional disability and be dependent on others for 1.6 years (9%), while the comparable period for women would be 2.5 years (11%). CONCLUSIONS: Despite their longer life expectancy, the women faced more years with functional disability. The number of years with functional disability and dependence was also higher for the women. Public policies should take into account the differing needs of elderly women and of elderly men as well as other specific characteristics of this older population.

Resumo em Espanhol:

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de ceguera y de ceguera por catarata en personas de 50 años o más en Piura y Tumbes, Perú, y caracterizar la cobertura y la calidad de los servicios de cirugía de catarata y las barreras que impiden acceder a estos servicios. MÉTODOS: Se seleccionaron 80 conglomerados de 60 personas de 50 años o más cada uno, mediante muestreo sistemático en los departamentos de Piura y Tumbes, Perú, entre agosto de 2002 y marzo de 2003. Del total de 4 800 personas seleccionadas se examinaron 4 782 personas mediante una encuesta que recogía la información general de la persona, los resultados de los exámenes de agudeza visual (AV), del examen del cristalino y los antecedentes quirúrgicos por catarata o la razón por la que no se la había operado. La AV se evaluó mediante un optotipo de Snellen con la letra "E" con tamaños de 20/60 y de 20/200 a una distancia de 6 m y 3 m, respectivamente, con la corrección disponible (lentes). Cuando la AV resultó menor de 20/60 en alguno de los ojos, se evaluó la visión con agujero estenopeico. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de ceguera bilateral (AV < 20/400) ajustada según la edad y el sexo en personas de 50 años o más fue de 2,1% (IC95%: 1,7 a 2,6%). La catarata fue la principal causa de ceguera bilateral (53,3%). La prevalencia de ceguera, ya fuera por catarata u otras causas, aumentó con la edad y fue mayor en mujeres que en hombres. La cobertura de los servicios de catarata en este grupo fue de 25%. La prevalencia de AV bilateral menor de 20/200 debida a catarata no operada en personas de 50 años o más fue de 6,3% (IC95%: 5,3 a 7,3) con una cobertura de servicios de apenas el 12%. La AV de 26% de los ojos operados por catarata fue inferior a 20/200. Las personas no operadas manifestaron no poder pagar la cirugía (28%), desconocimiento acerca de la catarata (25%), temor a la operación (23%) y temor a perder totalmente la visión (17%). CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados del presente trabajo indican que la mayor parte de los casos de ceguera y de deficiencia grave de la agudeza visual en personas de 50 años o más en Piura y Tumbes, Perú, se deben a defectos refractivos no corregidos y, especialmente, a cataratas. La elevada prevalencia de esta afección (2,1%) se puede reducir con medidas que faciliten el acceso de las personas de 50 años o más a los tratamientos apropiados.

Resumo em Inglês:

OBJETIVE: To determine the prevalence of blindness and of cataract blindness in persons 50 years of age or older in Piura and Tumbes, which are two departments in northern Peru, and to describe the coverage and quality of cataract surgery services in that area, and the barriers that prevent access to those services. METHODS: Systematic sampling of persons 50 years old or older was done in Piura and Tumbes between August 2002 and March 2003, with 80 clusters of 60 people each being selected. Of the 4 800 persons chosen, 4 782 of them were examined, using a survey instrument that gathered general information on each person, the results of the visual acuity test and the lens examination, and information on cataract surgery or why that surgery had not been done. Visual acuity (VA) testing was done with a Snellen optotype with the letter "E," with sizes of 20/60 and 20/200 at distances of 6 m and 3 m, respectively, with the person using the visual correction (glasses) available. When the VA was less than 20/60 in one of the eyes, vision was tested with pinhole glasses. RESULTS: The prevalence of bilateral blindness (VA < 20/400) due to cataract, adjusted by age and sex, was 2.1% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.7% to 2.6%). Among the 193 persons with bilateral blindness due to any cause, cataract was the cause in 104 of them (53.9%). The prevalence of blindness due to cataract or other causes increased with age and was higher in women than in men. Only 25% of the persons studied who needed cataract surgery had had that done. The prevalence of bilateral VA less than 20/200 due to unoperated cataract was 6.3% (95% CI: 5.3% to 7.3%); only 12% of the persons with that level of visual deficiency had had cataract surgery. The VA of 26% of the eyes operated on for cataract was lower than 20/200. The reasons given by persons who needed cataract surgery but who had not had it included not being able to pay for the operation (28%), lack of knowledge concerning cataracts (25%), fear of the operation (23%), and fear of completely losing their sight (17%). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the cases of blindness and of serious deficiency in visual acuity in persons 50 years old or older in Piura and Tumbes are due to uncorrected refractive defects, especially cataracts. The high prevalence of bilateral blindness due to cataracts (2.1%) could be reduced with measures that facilitate access to appropriate treatment.

Resumo em Espanhol:

OBJETIVOS: Determinar si los adultos mayores tienen un acceso equitativo a los servicios de salud en cuatro grandes ciudades latinoamericanas y si las faltas de equidad observadas reflejan los patrones de desigualdad económica en cada uno de los países estudiados. MÉTODOS: Se obtuvieron datos de personas de 60 años de edad o mayores en las ciudades de São Paulo, Brasil (n = 2 143); Santiago, Chile (n = 1 301); México, D.F., México (n = 1 247); y Montevideo, Uruguay (n = 1 450) en el transcurso de un proyecto conjunto encabezado por la Organización Panamericana de la Salud. Para nuestro estudio se examinaron tres indicadores de procesos relativos al acceso (disponibilidad, accesibilidad y aceptabilidad) y un indicador de la utilización real de los servicios de salud (consultas a un médico en los últimos 12 meses) según quintil económico, tipo de seguro médico, escolaridad, estado de salud y características demográficas. RESULTADOS: En cada una de las cuatro ciudades se observó diferente grado de acceso a la atención sanitaria, y los niveles de acceso a dicha atención mostraron solamente una ligera asociación con la riqueza nacional per cápita. Dado que el grado de desigualdad económica es relativamente acentuado en Brasil y menor en el Uruguay, las personas mayores en São Paulo tuvieron un acceso más equitativo del esperado a la atención de salud, mientras que las personas de edad en Montevideo tuvieron un acceso menos equitativo del esperado. La falta de equidad en México, D.F., obedeció principalmente a la poca cobertura del seguro médico. En Santiago, la falta de equidad mostró una mayor vinculación con el estrato socioeconómico que con la posesión de un seguro de salud. CONCLUSIÓN: En las cuatro ciudades estudiadas el aseguramiento médico y el modo en que funcionan los sistemas de salud son factores mediadores en el vínculo entre la desigualdad económica y la falta de acceso equitativo a la atención sanitaria. Por consiguiente, es preciso prestar especial atención a la equidad del acceso a los servicios de salud, independientemente de las diferencias existentes en lo que respecta a la desigualdad económica y a la riqueza nacional.

Resumo em Inglês:

OBJECTIVES: To identify if older adults have equitable access to health services in four major Latin American cities and to determine if the inequities that are found follow the patterns of economic inequality in each of the four nations studied. METHODS: Data from persons age 60 and over in the cities of São Paulo, Brazil (n = 2 143); Santiago, Chile (n = 1 301); Mexico City, Mexico (n = 1 247); and Montevideo, Uruguay (n = 1 450) were collected through a collaboration led by the Pan American Health Organization. For our study, three process indicators of access (availability, accessibility, and acceptability) and one indicator of actual health services use (visit to a medical doctor in the past 12 months) were analyzed by wealth quintiles, health insurance type, education, health status, and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Each of the four cities had a different level of access to care, and those levels of access were only weakly related to per capita national wealth. Given the relatively high level of wealth inequality in Brazil and the lower level in Uruguay, older persons in São Paulo had better-than-expected equity in access to care, while older persons in Montevideo had less equity than expected. Inequity in Mexico City was driven primarily by low levels of health insurance coverage. In Santiago, inequity followed socioeconomic status more than it did health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: In the four cities studied, health insurance and the operation of health systems mediate the link between economic inequality and inequitable access to health care. Therefore, special attention needs to be paid to equity of access in health services, independent of differences in economic inequality and national wealth.

Resumo em Português:

OBJETIVO: Verificar se existe desigualdade social em saúde e na utilização dos serviços de saúde entre os idosos de Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Santiago, Havana, Cidade do México e Montevidéu. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados do Projeto Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento na América Latina e Caribe (SABE). Para verificar a presença de desigualdade social em saúde, utilizou-se o modelo probit ordenado, tendo como variáveis dependentes os seguintes indicadores do estado de saúde: atividades de vida diária, atividades instrumentais de vida diária, mobilidade física e estado de saúde auto-avaliado. Para mensurar a desigualdade social na utilização dos serviços de saúde, duas especificações foram testadas: uma para os serviços médicos ambulatoriais (se consultou o médico e quantas vezes consultou) e outra para os serviços de internação hospitalar (se foi internado). Para os cuidados ambulatoriais, estimamos o modelo hurdle binomial negativo, e para os serviços de internação hospitalar, utilizamos um modelo logit. RESULTADOS: Os principais resultados sugerem a presença de desigualdade social em saúde em todas as cidades, favorável aos grupos socioeconômicos privilegiados. Essa diferença foi menor em Havana, Buenos Aires e Montevidéu e mais acentuada em São Paulo e na Cidade do México. Quanto à utilização dos serviços de saúde, detectamos a presença de desigualdade no uso de serviços ambulatoriais em Santiago, na Cidade do México e em São Paulo. Em Santiago e na Cidade do México, quanto maior o nível educacional, maior o número esperado de consultas. Em São Paulo, o oposto foi observado. Para os serviços de internação hospitalar, a presença de desigualdade foi detectada apenas em São Paulo, favorecendo os grupos mais escolarizados. CONCLUSÃO: Os presentes resultados refletem, em certa medida, as características socioeconômicas e demográficas dos países de cada cidade estudada. As cidades dos países que apresentam os piores indicadores sociais (elevada desigualdade de renda e baixo índice de desenvolvimento humano) tenderam a apresentar as maiores desigualdades em saúde e na utilização dos serviços de saúde.

Resumo em Inglês:

OBJECTIVE: To learn if there is social inequality in health and in the utilization of health services among the elderly in six cities of Latin America: Buenos Aires, Argentina; São Paulo, Brazil; Santiago, Chile; Havana, Cuba; Mexico City, Mexico; and Montevideo, Uruguay. METHODS: This study used data from a project called Health, Well-being, and Aging in Latin America and the Caribbean (known as the "SABE project"). To investigate the presence of social inequality in health an ordinal probit model was used, with health status indicated by the following dependent variables: activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, physical mobility, and self-rated health. To measure social inequality in the utilization of health services two characteristics were assessed: one for outpatient medical services (whether or not individuals received outpatient care, and how many times), and one for hospital admissions (whether or not individuals were hospitalized). For outpatient services, we estimated a negative binomial hurdle model, and for hospital admissions, a logit model was constructed. RESULTS: Our main results suggest the presence of social inequality in health in all the cities, with better-off socioeconomic groups having better health. The difference in health was less marked in Havana, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo, and it was more pronounced in São Paulo and Mexico City. With respect to the utilization of health services we found inequalities in the use of outpatient services in Santiago, Mexico City, and São Paulo. In Santiago and Mexico City, more schooling was associated with a higher number of expected outpatient medical visits; however, the opposite was found in São Paulo. For hospital admissions, inequality was found only in São Paulo, with individuals with more years of schooling being much more likely to be hospitalized. CONCLUSION: To a certain extent, our results reflect the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the countries in which each of the six cities is located. The cities in the countries with the worst social indicators (high income inequality and low human development index) tended to have the greatest inequalities in health and in the utilization of health services.