Factors Associated With Positive Self-Rated Health: Comparing Older Adults in Brazil and in Portugal

Introduction: Self-rated health is a multidimensional health indicator and a predictor of adverse events in old age. Answers to this assessment are influenced by social, cultural and personality factors.Aim: Exploring common and distinctive characteristics of Brazilian and Portuguese older adults aged 70 and over regarding positive self-rated health according to sociodemographic variables, to functional capacity, to independent performance of basic activities of daily living and to neuroticism, as well as analyzing associations between positive self-rated health and these variables.Methods: The present paper is a comparative and cross-sectional study based on secondary data contained in the databases of the FIBRA (Frailty in Brazilian Older Adults) follow-up study, with 418 Brazilian older adults, and of the DIA (From Disability to Activity: The Challenge of Aging) study, with 380 Portuguese older adults. Both samples had higher percentages of women: 68.4% for Portugal and 69.9% for Brazil. The Brazilian sample had a higher average age (80.31 ± 4.67) than the Portuguese sample (76.80 ± 5.28).Results: The Portuguese older adults had better overall cognition scores, higher handgrip strength and higher neuroticism values than the Brazilian older adults. In the simple and multiple logistic regression analyses, it was found that among Brazilian older adults, subjects with higher scores in the MMSE (OR 1.16; 95% CI 1.08–1.24), regardless of ADL performance (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.31–3.47) and with scores 24–29 (OR 1.92; 95% CI 1.07–3.43) or 11–23 (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.15–3.79) in neuroticism were more likely to assess their health as very good/good. On the other hand, the Portuguese older adults with intermediate 24–9 (OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.31–4.33) or low 11–23 (OR 5.31; 95% CI 2.69–10.45) scores in neuroticism were more likely to evaluate their health as very good/good.Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study and on the existing literature, it may be said that it is possible for people to age while keeping a positive perception of their own health, even in advanced old age; comparisons between the above-mentioned countries, however, point to the need for investments in healthcare systems so that older adults may enjoy greater physical independence and improved mental health.

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Reference values and factors associated with hand grip strength among older adults living in southeastern Poland

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-89408-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Agnieszka Wiśniowska-Szurlej ◽

Agnieszka Ćwirlej-Sozańska ◽

Justyna Kilian ◽

Natalia Wołoszyn ◽

Bernard Sozański ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Older People ◽

Reference Values ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Age Groups ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normative Values ◽

Dominant Hand ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated

AbstractHandgrip strength (HGS) is used as a biomarker for the state of health of older people, but the number of research publications containing the normative values of HGS in older adult populations is limited. The aim of the study was to define reference values and factors associated with HGS in older adults living in southeastern Poland. A cross-sectional study including 405 participants aged 65 and older was conducted. Handgrip strength for the dominant hand was assessed by the average of three trials using a JAMAR dynamometer. The sample was categorized into the following age groups: 65–69 years, 70–74 years, 75–79 years, 80–84 years, 85 and over. The average HGS was 19.98 kg (16.91 kg for women and 26.19 kg for men). There was a decrease in handgrip strength across the age range in both sexes. The average handgrip strength of the older people was 17.97 kg (14.47 kg for women and 25.66 kg for men) for those aged 80–85 and 16.68 kg (13.51 kg for women and 21.77 kg for men) in the group over 85 years old. In both sexes, marital status was an independent factor associated with reduced handgrip strength. In conclusion, this study described, for the first time, handgrip strength values for the southeastern Polish population aged ≥ 65 years according to age and gender.

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Attitude toward Aging Mediates the Relationship between Personality and Mental Health in Older Adults

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9050594 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 594

Author(s):

Teshome Sirak Bedaso ◽

Buxin Han

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Older Adults ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Personality Factors ◽

Health Issues ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Potential Mediator ◽

The Relationship

This study aimed to examine attitude toward aging as a potential mediator of the relationship between personality factors and mental health in terms of depression and life satisfaction among older adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 438 Ethiopian elderly individuals aged 60 to 69. The results of the regression-based path analysis showed that after adjusting for demographic data, the relationship between agreeableness and depression in older adults was partially mediated by attitude toward aging. Likewise, attitude toward physical change due to aging and psychological growth subscales jointly mediated the correlation between neuroticism and depression. However, a significant direct path between neuroticism and depression persisted. On the contrary, openness had no significant direct association with depression apart from an indirect through psychosocial loss. The link between life satisfaction and agreeableness as well as openness to experience were partially mediated by psychosocial loss. Therefore, a person’s attitude toward aging and personality characteristics should be taken into consideration while designing interventions for managing mental health issues among older adults.

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Prevalence of Poor Self-Rated Health and Associated Risk Factors among Older Adults in Cali, Colombia

Colombia Medica ◽

10.25100/cm.v44i4.1362 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 224-231 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jose Mauricio Ocampo-Chaparro ◽

Helmer de Jesus Zapata-Ossa ◽

Angela M Cubides-Munévar ◽

Carmen Lucia Curcio ◽

Juan de Dios Villegas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Older Adults ◽

Fear Of Falling ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cluster Sampling ◽

Frailty Syndrome ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Modifiable Factors

Introduction: Self-rated health (SRH) has beeen considered an important marker of quality of life and an independent predictor of mortality in older adults. Objective: To determine the prevalence of poor SRH and identify risk factors associated with poor SRH among older adults residing in the Commune 18 of the city of Cali, Colombia, in 2009. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study with a single-stage cluster sampling design. Sample included 314 persons aged 60 and older. The dependent variable, SRH was dichotomized into good (excellent, very good, good) and poor (fair, poor). Independent variables were sociodemographic, biological, mental, functional and geriatric syndromes. Logistic regression was used for multivariate statistical modeling. Results: Overall, 40.1% reported poor SRH (women 42.9%, men 35.0%). Factors independently associated with poor SRH were diabetes mellitus, depression, fear of falling and frailty syndrome (frail and pre-frail vs. non-frail). Widowed men reported poorer health than married men while other marital status (single/separated/divorced) was associated with better self rated health in women. Conclusion: Potential modifiable factors such as depression and frailty syndrome are important determinants for poor SRH in Colombian older adults.

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A cross-sectional study of self-rated health among older adults: a comparison of China and the United States

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027895 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. e027895 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dongjuan Xu ◽

Greg Arling ◽

Kefang Wang

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Older Americans ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Ordered Logistic Regression ◽

The Us ◽

The Usa

ObjectivesWe used nationally representative samples of China and the US older population to investigate (1) whether factors influencing self-rated health among older Chinese were similar to those among older Americans; and (2) whether there was a significant cross-national difference in self-rated health between China and the USA after controlling those available influencing factors.DesignA cross-sectional study. Data came from the 2014 Health and Retirement Study and China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study conducted from 2014 to 2015.ParticipantsOur final sample size totaled 8905 older adults in the USA and 4442 older adults in China.OutcomeThe response variable was self-rated health. Ordered logistic regression models were conducted to investigate factors influencing self-rated health among older adults.ResultsMore than three-fourths (78%) of older adults in China reported fair or poor health status, while almost 74% of older adults in the USA reported excellent, very good or good health status. In the overall ordered logistic regression model, when controlling statistically for sociodemographics, family structure, functional limitations, cognition, chronic conditions, mental health and health-related behaviours, the Chinese survey respondents were much more likely to rate their health as being poorer than the US respondents. The odds of having better versus poorer health was almost five times greater in American older adults than those in China (OR=4.88, 95% CI 4.06 to 5.86). Older adults in China living alone rated their health better than those living with spouse/partner; however, no significant difference was found between these two living arrangements in older Americans. In contrast, older adults in the USA living with others rated their health worse compared with those living with spouse/partner. In addition, older adults who had more activities of daily living limitations, poorer self-reported memory, worse mental health and chronic health conditions had lower self-rated health in both countries.ConclusionsWe found a striking difference in self-rated health between China and the USA even after controlling for measures of disease, functional status and other influencing factors. Relative to their American counterparts, Chinese elders were much more likely to report worse health.

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Oxidative stress, telomere length, and frailty in an old age population

10.1101/414680 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

José Darío Martínez-Ezquerro ◽

Aleida Rodriguez-Castañeda ◽

Mauricio Ortiz-Ramirez ◽

Sergio Sanchez-Garcia ◽

Haydee Rosas-Vargas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Older Adults ◽

Telomere Length ◽

Old Age ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Frailty Phenotype ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Adverse Health Outcomes ◽

Biomarkers Of Aging ◽

Dichlorofluorescin Diacetate

AbstractBackgroundA global aging population requires focusing on the risk factors for unhealthy aging, preventive medicine, and chronic disease management. The identification of adverse health outcomes in older adults has been addressed by the characterization of frailty as a biological syndrome. On the other hand, oxidative stress and telomere length have been suggested as biomarkers of aging.ObjectiveTo study the association of oxidative stress, telomere length, and frailty in an old age population.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study based on 2015 data from 202 members from a cohort of older adults (n=202; gender F/M ratio: 133/69; mean age: 69.89 ± 7.39 years). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by dichlorofluorescin diacetate, and lipid peroxidation by malondialdehyde. Telomere length was determined using qPCR with SYBR Green Master Mix.ResultsStatistical analysis showed an association between telomere length and frailty but no association between oxidative stress on telomere length or frailty.ConclusionsTelomere length could eventually be used as a marker to discriminate between healthy and unhealthy aging as expressed by frailty phenotype. However, oxidative stress seems as just a biological process of aging.

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Prevalence and factors associated with poor self-rated health among community dwelling older adults in Lomé (Togo) in 2019

Journal of Public Health in Africa ◽

10.4081/jphia.2020.1302 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fifonsi Adjidossi Gbeasor-Komlanvi ◽

Martin Kouame Tchankoni ◽

Ama Boilassi Adjonko ◽

Wendpouire Ida Carine Zida-Compaore ◽

Nicolas Konan Kouakou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Herbal Products ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Community Dwelling Older Adults

The number of older adults is increasing worldwide, including in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, there is a paucity of data on the overall health status of older adults living in SSA. To assess the prevalence and factors associated with poor Self-Rated Health (SRH) among community-dwelling older adults in Lomé, Togo, we conducted a cross-sectional study from January to June 2019 in Lomé among community-dwelling older adults aged 50 years and older. A 30- minute questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics, medical history, patterns of medication use and use of herbal products and dietary supplements during a face-to-face interview. SRH was assessed using a single item: Overall, you would say that your health is… (1) excellent, (2) very good, (3) good, (4) fair and (5) poor with response fair or poor defining poor SRH. A total of 344 respondents with median age 63 years, (IQR: 55-72) were enrolled in the study. Women represented 57.6% of the sample. Overall prevalence of poor SRH was 56.4% (95%CI: 51.0-61.9) and was the highest among females (62.6% vs 47.9%; P=0.007) and participants >60 years (61.5% vs 51.1%; P=0.021). Female sex, aged ≥60 years, osteoarthritis, hospitalization within the 12 months preceding the survey, polypharmacy, and the use of herbal products were factors associated with poor SRH (P<0.05). More than half of community- dwelling older adults had poor SRH in Lomé. Further studies are needed to guide policymakers in their efforts to design and implement meaningful policies to improve older adults health conditions.

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Chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and handgrip strength among older adults from Southern Brazil

Revista de Nutrição ◽

10.1590/1678-98652016000100005 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 43-52 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Júlia PESSINI ◽

Aline Rodrigues BARBOSA ◽

Erasmo Benício Santos de Moraes TRINDADE

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Handgrip Strength ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Self Report ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Comorbid Chronic Diseases

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the association between various chronic diseases, multimorbidity, and handgrip strength in community dwelling older adults in Southern Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study carried out with 477 older adults (60 years and older) who resided in Antônio Carlos, Santa Catarina state. Subjects aged 60-79 years were selected by probability sampling (n=343) and all subjects aged 80 years or older (n=134) were evaluated. Chronic diseases were identified by self-report. A mechanical dynamometer verified handgrip strength (i.e., the outcome). Adjustments variables were age, literacy, living arrangement, smoking, body mass index, cognitive function, and comorbid chronic diseases. Sex-stratified analyses were conducted with simple and multiple linear regression. Results: A total of 270 women (73.2±8.8 years) and 207 men (73.3±9.0 years) were assessed. In the adjustment analysis, cancer (β=-3.69; 95%CI=-6.97 to -0.41) and depression (β=-1.65; 95%CI=-3.20 to -0.10) were associated with lower handgrip strength in women. For men, diabetes (β=-5.30; 95%CI=-9.64 to -0.95), chronic lung disease (β=-4.74; 95%CI=-7.98 to -1.50), and coronary heart disease (β=-3.07; 95%CI=-5.98 to -0.16) were associated with lower handgrip strength values. There was an inverse trend between number of diseases and handgrip strength for men only. Conclusion: The results showed an independent association between chronic diseases and handgrip strength. As such, handgrip strength is a valid measure to use for prevention or intervention in chronic disease and multimorbidity.

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Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study of Brazilian Older Adults

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2017-0456 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (11) ◽

pp. 811-818 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Carla Elane Silva dos Santos ◽

Sofia Wolker Manta ◽

Guilherme Pereira Maximiano ◽

Susana Cararo Confortin ◽

Tânia Rosane Bertoldo Benedetti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Older Adults ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Aging Study ◽

Low Levels ◽

Adjusted Model

Background: To examine the level of physical activity and sedentary behavior (SB), measured with accelerometers, in older adults from a city in southern Brazil according to sociodemographic and health characteristics.Methods: The sample consisted of 425 older adults (≥63 y) from the EpiFloripa Aging Study. Light physical activity (LPA), moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and SB were measured with accelerometers over a period of 7 days.Results: The older adults spent two-thirds of the time of use in SB, one-third in LPA, and only 2.1% (95% confidence interval, 1.8–2.2) in MVPA. In the final adjusted model, lower levels of MVPA were observed for women, as well as higher SB and lower LPA and MVPA for those with higher age. There were also trends toward prolonged SB and lower LPA when participants had a higher educational level and toward lower MVPA with higher body mass index.Conclusions: Constant monitoring of physical activity levels and SB using objective measures is recommended and interventions should be directed at the groups most exposed to excessive SB and low levels of MVPA.

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The Bambuí Health and Aging Study (BHAS): private health plan and medical care utilization by older adults

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0102-311x2002000100018 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 177-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Maria Fernanda F. Lima-Costa ◽

Henrique L. Guerra ◽

Josélia O. A. Firmo ◽

Pedro G. Vidigal ◽

Elizabeth Uchoa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Medical Care ◽

Health Plan ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Care Plan ◽

Care Utilization ◽

Health Coverage ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Physical Measurements ◽

Aging Study

The aim of this cross sectional study was to investigate whether holding a private health plan affects the consumption of medical services (hospitalization and visits to a doctor) and use of medications by older adults. All residents in Bambuí town (Minas Gerais, Brazil) aged > or = 60 years (n = 1,742) were selected. From these, 92.2% were interviewed and 85.9% were examined (blood tests and physical measurements). After adjustments for counfounders, those under exclusive public coverage (n = 1,296), compared with those holding a private health plan (n = 310), presented some evidence of having worse health status, reported less visits to a doctor, and used a small number of prescribed medications. The main explanation for the aged holding a private health plan was economic, not health. Even though those who had only public health coverage complained more in relation to medical care (70.9%), an important proportion of the aged with a private health care plan presented some kind of complaint (45.2%). Another worrying factor was the difficulty to acquire medication because of financial problems (47.2 and 25.2% reported, respectively). Further investigations are needed to verify whether our results can be generalized to other communities of the country.

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Longer leisure walking time is associated with positive self-rated health among adults and older adults: a Brazilian nationwide study

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.11471 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. e11471

Author(s):

Diego Augusto Santos Silva

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Leisure Time ◽

Elderly Population ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Self Rated Health ◽

Walking Time ◽

Relevant Covariates

Background To verify the association between weekly leisure walking time and positive self-rated health in the Brazilian adult and elderly population. Methods This cross-sectional study used information collected in 2019 across all regions of Brazil. This study included 25,785 people aged ≥ 18 years (mean = 51.6; standard deviation = 18.0) from all capitals of the Brazilian states who reported practicing walking as physical activity during leisure time. Self-rated health was the dependent variable (positive or negative). The leisure walking time/week was the main exposure and it was categorized in “150 minutes/week”, “150–299 minutes/week” and “≥ 300 minutes/week”. We used binary logistic regression to estimate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) that was adjusted for relevant covariates. Results We found that individuals who reported leisure walking for a period from 150 to 299 minutes/week and those who reported walking for a period ≥ 300 minutes/week were respectively 28% (OR = 1.28. 95% CI [1.10–1.48]) and 52% (OR = 1.52. 95% CI [1.27–1.82]) more likely of perceiving their health positively compared to those who reported walking for a period < 150 minutes/week. Individuals who reported leisure walking time <150 minutes/week had 72.3% (95% CI [70.4–74.1]) probability of perceiving their health positively. Individuals who reported leisure walking time from 150 to 299 minutes/week had 76.6% (95% CI [75.0 –78.3) probability of perceiving their health positively. On the other hand, individuals who reported leisure walking time ≥ 300 minutes/week had 79.2% probability (95% CI [77.1–81.4]) of perceiving their health positively. Conclusion Longer leisure walking time was associated with positive self-rated health among adults and older adults in Brazil.

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