The influence of comorbidities, use of drugs and institutionalization in the functional capacity of the elderly

Abstract

Introduction: In developing countries, like Brazil, the demographic transition is characterized by a progressive increase in the number of elderly. Prevalent diseases are chronic degenerative diseases of low mortality and high disability. Functional capacity is defined as the physical and mental ability to maintain an independent and autonomous life. One of the most commonly used instruments to evaluate the functional capacity is the index of independence in activities of daily living (Katz Index). Aging as well as the demographic, socioeconomic and health factors influence this ability. Objective: The study objective is to evaluate the functional capacity of the elderly in Barbacena-MG and to correlate this fact to the presence of comorbidities, medication use, sociodemographic characteristics and institutionalization. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 81 institutionalized elderly and 254 non-institutionalized, evaluating them through the Katz Index and a questionnaire in which sociodemographic variables, comorbidities and use of continuous medicines in the 12 months preceding the interview were quantified. Results: Independent factors associated to functional capacity having statistically significant value were: to be 80 or older, to be female, living together or in long-stay institution, continually use of an average of 4.7 ± 2.8 medications and regular use of psychotropic drugs. Conclusion: Among elderly patients with lower functional capacity, there was prevalence of institutionalization, older age, higher proportion of women and increased use of medications. Different than expected, the functional dependent elderly didn’t have more comorbidities, when compared with the independents.