RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence and patterns of lifetime alcohol misuse. METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of 1,078 individuals aged 60 or more. Structured interview included sociodemographic, lifestyle, health data, and the five alcohol misuse screening questions of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire. RESULTS: Prevalence of misuse was 6.5%. Men, aged 60 to 69, low educational level, separated/divorced, and tobacco smoking were independently associated with lifetime alcohol misuse. Odds ratios show increasing association with levels of alcohol misuse groups in males, low-educated, and tobacco users. Persons aged 60 to 69, 4 to 7 education years, and non-White ethnicity were significantly associated with the major alcohol misuse score. DISCUSSION: Younger elderly were more exposed to alcohol than previous cohorts. Thus, problems with alcohol in old age will possibly increase as they grow older. The results of this study call attention to a field of lacking evidence in alcohol-related problems of older persons.
Assuntos
Alcoolismo/epidemiologia , Vida Independente , Idoso , Brasil/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Pesquisa Qualitativa , Fatores de Risco , Distribuição por Sexo , Fumar/epidemiologia , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Objetivos: avaliar o perfil dos pacientes idosos internados na Unidade de Psiquiatria do Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS, em Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul.Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo descritivo a partir do banco de dados das internações psiquiátricas do Hospital.Foram incluídos no estudo pacientes com idade de 60 anos ou mais, internados no período de maio de 2008 a setembro de 2009 na Unidade de Psiquiatria.Resultados: do total de 294 pacientes internados na Unidade de Psiquiatria no período do estudo, 63 (21,4%) eram idosos, sendo incluídos no estudo. A idade média foi 69 anos, sendo 66,7% mulheres e 58,7% casados. O principal motivo das internações foi ideação suicida (39,6%). No momento da hospitalização, 84,2% dos pacientes faziam uso de pelo menos um psicofármaco.Conclusões: a alta prevalência de ideação suicida nos pacientes idosos da Unidade de Psiquiatria do Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS revela a importância da avaliação sistemática do risco de suicídio nesses pacientes.
Aims: To assess the profile of elderly patients admitted to the Psychiatric Unity of Hospital São Lucas da PUCRS,Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.Methods: A descriptive study from the database of psychiatric admissions to the Hospital was conducted. Data from patients aged 60 years or older, admitted from May 2008 to September 2009, were included.Results: Of 294 subjects admitted in the study period to the Psychiatric Unity, 63 (21.4%) were elderly, and were included in the study. The mean age in this subgroup was 69 years, 66.7% were women and 58.7% were married.The main reason for admission was suicidal ideation (39.6%). At the time of hospitalization, 84.2% of the patients used at least one psychoactive drug.Conclusions: The high prevalence of suicidal ideation among elderly in the psychiatric unit of HSL-PUCRS reveals the importance of systematic evaluation of suicide risk in this population.