[Family dysfunction in nonagenarians and centenarians: the importance of health conditions and social support]

Cien Saude Colet. 2021 Jul 2;26(6):2355-2364. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232021266.15082019. eCollection 2021.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

The scope of this study is to evaluate factors related to family dysfunction (FD) among 227 randomly selected nonagenarians and centenarians in Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul, who were visited and assessed in their homes. FD was evaluated by the "Family APGAR score," being considered with FD from 0 to 6, and without FD from 7 to 10 in this study. Sociodemographic and economic data, physical functionality, health self-perception, comorbidities, depressive symptoms, cognitive function, social support and interaction were evaluated. The mean APGAR score was 9.05±1.81, and FD occurred in 9.69% of the participants. Among the health conditions, the self-perception of health (p=0.0003), the number of depressive symptoms (p<0.0001), receiving visits (p=0.0994), having recourse to help in case of illness (p=0.0090), and the need for help to administer medication (p=0.0602), were significantly related to FD. In the adjusted analysis, self-perception of health, the presence of depressive symptoms and the need for help in administering medication were associated with FD among nonagenarians and centenarians. These factors may influence the satisfaction of nonagenarians and centenarians with their family relationships.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar os fatores relacionados à disfunção familiar (DF) entre 227 nonagenários e centenários identificados e avaliados no domicílio, aleatoriamente selecionados, em Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. A DF foi avaliada pelo instrumento “APGAR da família”, sendo considerado, no presente estudo, de zero a seis com DF e de sete a dez sem DF. Foram avaliados, entre abril e novembro de 2016, dados sociodemográficos, econômicos, funcionalidade física, autopercepção de saúde, comorbidades, sintomas depressivos, função cognitiva, suporte e interação social. A média do APGAR foi de 9,05±1,81, a DF ocorreu em 9,69% dos participantes. Foram relacionados à DF a autopercepção de saúde (p=0,0003), número de sintomas depressivos (p<0,0001), ter ajuda em caso de doença (p=0,0090) e necessidade de ajuda para administrar medicamentos (p=0,0602). Na análise ajustada, foram independentemente associados à DF em nonagenários e centenários a autopercepção de saúde, a presença de sintomas depressivos e a necessidade de ajuda para administrar medicamentos. Conclui-se que esses fatores parecem interferir na satisfação do nonagenário ou centenário com suas relações familiares.

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cognition*
  • Family Relations
  • Humans
  • Social Support*