Abstract
Objective
to identify factors associated with worsening self-perception of health in community-dwelling older people over time.
Method
This is a prospective and analytical longitudinal study. At baseline, data collection took place at home, based on random sampling by clusters. The second data collection was performed after an average period of 42 months. Sociodemographic variables related to health and use of health services were analyzed. Self-perception of health was investigated by the question: “How would you classify your health status?”. The results of the health classification of each older person were compared between the two moments of the study (first wave and baseline) defining the dependent variable. Adjusted prevalence ratios were obtained by multiple Poisson regression analysis with robust variance.
Results
394 older people participated in the two stages of the study, 21.1% worsened their self-perception of health, 26.7% improved and 52.2% showed no change. The variables that remained statistically associated with the transition to a worse self-rated health assessment were: asthma, systemic arterial hypertension and frailty.
Conclusion
self-perception of health is characterized by a transition between levels of self-rated health. Chronic diseases and frailty showed a longitudinal association with worsening of self-rated health.
Keywords
Self-Conception; Elderly; Risk Factors; Health Status; Longitudinal Studies