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Capture-recapture methodology is used in Ecology to estimate the total size of wild animal populations. This method can be used in Epidemiology to estimate the incidence and prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases in a relatively inexpensive and quick way. Surveillance systems based on the use of this methodology are a potential alternative for monitoring non-communicable diseases in Brazil. This paper presents a brief review of fundamental capture-recapture methodology and its applications to Epidemiology. We also present a theoretical model for implementation of a diabetes mellitus surveillance system in the elderly using publicly available morbidity and mortality data sources and the capture-recapture methodology.

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INTRODUCTION: The objective is to evaluate the quality of medication utilization through the analysis of the pattern of usage, the degree of compliance to essential drug lists, therapeutic value and by drug interactions found among women over 60 years of age. METHODS: Six hundred thirty-four women enrolled at the Open University of the Third Age were studied. Data was collected through pattern-oriented, tested questionnaires. The variables examined were related to drugs and to drug utilization. The units of analysis used were the drugs and the individual. RESULTS: Of 634 women that participated in the study, 9,1% did not use drugs. The number of medications taken vary from 1 to 17. The average is 4,0 drugs/woman. Among the 2.510 pharmaceutical specialties mentioned by the interviewed, 538 different substances were identified. About 26% of the medications were in agreement with the recommendations of the World Health Organization and 17% with recommendations of the "Relação Nacional de Medicamentos Essenciais". Seventeen percent of the drugs are inappropriate for use in seniors; 14,1% of the women may suffer consequences for taking drugs of the same therapeutic class, and 15, 5% are exposed to interactions. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that the pattern of the medication utilization is considerably influenced by the medical prescription and that their quality is harmed by the low selectiveness of the pharmaceutical market

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This paper is a summary of the main findings concerning organic brain syndrome (O.S.S.) in a prevalence study carried out among the elderly population of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The project selected three districts of the city-Copacabana, Méier and Santa Cruz-in view of a set of indicators. The study for the validation and reliability of the diagnostic instrument was carried out in the district of Copacabana. Prevalence results for organic brain syndrome were 5.9% in Copacabana, 9.84% in Méier and 29.75% in Santa Cruz. Several hypotheses have been formulated in the attempt to explain such diverse results within a single city. Associations with a variety of socio-economic indicators are presented. Dependence and loss of autonomy in elderly people are closely associated with organic brain syndrome. The results are compared with national and international findings.

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Population ageing is currently a phenomenon not only in developed countries but also in third world countries. In this paper the features of a population's ageing and the process of epidemiological transition are discussed along with the worldwide changes in age-structure. Population statistics in Brazil and the characteristics of the elderly population are presented and analysed in the light of recent changes. The Brazilian elderly population is also discussed, particularly the issues relating to the social cost of the aged population, its urban and rural distribution, the elderly by sex, marital status and level of schooling, and emphasis is given to the imbalance of the sexes and the consequences of it for women.

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Data from a prevalence study of Organic Cerebral Syndrome and Depression in an elderly population living in three boroughs of Rio de Janeiro city are presented. The methodological issues related to interrater and test-retest reliability are discussed and the cut-off point for the instrument adapted (BOAS) established. The prevalence rates in the three boroughs were found, respectively, to be: 5.9%, 9.8% and 29.8% for Organic Cerebral Syndrome and 20.9%, 23.0% and 36.8% for Depression. The prevalence rats have been adjusted using information on sensitivity and specificity for both diagnosis. Aspects of these differences are discussed in the light of national and international literature.

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A first step in the pilot-study undertaken as part of a research project on psychiatric morbidity--depression and organic brain syndrome--in the elderly population of Rio de Janeiro is described. The main objective is to "fine-tune" the instrument used (check list of DSM-III) and testing validity of the BOAS questionnaire (Brazilian version of Short-Care). The methodological aspects, and conceptual definitions are focused as well some procedures for the next stage of the project are suggested.

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The methodology used by a project being carried out at the Institute of Social Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, concerning the epidemiology of the elderly and the stages of the community survey are presented. The sampling methods and the steps of the enumerator process are also detailed.

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Since its beginnings in 1808, medical instruction in Brazil has evolved and changed as Brazilian society has done. Medical schools, at first a concern of government alone, between 1931 and 1960 began to attract private enterprise, which established six of the 19 schools founded during those years. Since then the share of the private sector has grown, and there was a veritable explosion between 1966 and 1970, when 30 new medical schools were set up, 25 of them in the private sector (more than half of the total of 76 schools in operation today are in the private sector). The authors note that the increase in the number of medical schools and courses has not made them less selective, diminished the importance of the government-operated schools--which are still the leading institutions--or made it more certain that the education imparted in the private schools is of satisfactory quality. The medical schools are clustered chiefly in the southeast, and they are partial to the industrial urban setting, especially the Rio-São Paulo axis (where half of the country's physicians are concentrated), which makes for yet another severe imbalance among regions.

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Since its beginnings in 1808, medical instruction in Brazil has evolved and changed as Brazilian society has done. Medical schools, at first a concern of government alone, between 1931 and 1960 began to attract private enterprise, which established six of the 19 schools founded during those years. Since then the share of the private sector has grown, and there was a veritable explosion between 1966 and 1970, when 30 new medical schools were set up, 25 of them in the private sector (more than half of the total of 76 schools in operation today are in the private sector). The authors note that the increase in the number of medical schools and courses has not made them less selective, diminished the importance of the government-operated schools--which are still the leading institutions--or made it more certain that the education imparted in the private schools is of satisfactory quality. The medical schools are clustered chiefly in the southeast, and they are partial to the industrial urban setting, especially the Rio-Sào Paulo axis (where half of the country's physicians are concentrated), which makes for yet another severe imbalance among regions (Au)

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Since its beginnings in 1808, medical instruction in Brazil has evolved and changed as Brazilian society has done. Medical schools, at first a concern of government alone, between 1931 and 1960 began to attract private enterprise, which established six of the 19 schools founded during those years. Since then the share of the private sector has grown, and there was a veritable explosion between 1966 and 1970, when 30 new medical schools were set up, 25 of them in the private sector (more than half of the total of 76 schools in operation today are in the private sector). The authors note that the increase in the number of medical schools and courses has not made them less selective, diminished the importance of the government-operated schools--which are still the leading institutions--or made it more certain that the education imparted in the private schools is of satisfactory quality. The medical schools are clustered chiefly in the southeast, and they are partial to the industrial urban setting, especially the Rio-Säo Paulo axis (where half of the country's physicians are concentrated), which makes for yet another severe imbalance among regions (AU)

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