Avaliação da vulnerabilidade em homens e mulheres idosos comunitários: resultados transversais do Estudo PRO-EVA

Abstract

Introduction: The increasing older population in Brazil is a growing phenomenon, with projections indicating that by 2050, 23.8% of the population will be elderly. The feminization of aging, with a higher number of older women, has posed specific challenges regarding health and vulnerability, which includes physical, social, and psychosocial aspects. Instruments such as the VES-13 (Vulnerable Elderly Survey) have been used to identify elderly individuals at risk within the context of Primary Health Care (PHC). Objective: To analyze vulnerability and its associated risk factors between sexes through the VES-13 in older individuals living in the community of Parnamirim/RN. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted based on the recommendations of the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE), carried out in eight Primary Health Care Units (UBS) in the city of Parnamirim, Rio Grande do Norte (RN). Individuals aged 60 years and older, of both sexes, were evaluated. Bivariate analysis and binary logistic regression were performed to assess the association between covariates such as education level, marital status, polypharmacy, chronic diseases, and others, with vulnerability measured using the VES-13, which is included in the Elderly Health Booklet (Caderneta de Saúde da Pessoa Idosa, CSPI). Results: A total of 1,205 elderly individuals were evaluated, of which 63.1% were women. Based on the VES-13 questionnaire, the elderly were classified as robust (72.5%) and vulnerable (27.5%), and it was observed that among the vulnerable elderly, the proportion of women was higher compared to men (29.9% vs. 23.4%). Variables such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (OR: 1.61) and falls (OR: 1.85) were identified as risk factors for vulnerability, while physical activity (OR: 0.52) and higher scores in the Leganés Cognitive Test (OR: 0.83) were found to be protective factors. Conclusion: A portion of the older population in Parnamirim-RN is considered vulnerable, with a notable emphasis on women. Variables such as falls, chronic diseases, physical activity, polypharmacy, and chronic pain were associated with vulnerability. Thus, the proposed topic is highly relevant for screening and monitoring vulnerable older individuals in Primary Health Care (PHC).