Background: In front of the physical and social isolation, as well as feelings of fear and instability imposed by the pandemic of COVID-19, especially for risk groups such as people 50 + , it became even more relevant to discuss the formulation of personal plans for this age population. This study aimed to analyse the individual plans of people 50 + , considering their perception, feelings and life experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a mixed study (quali-quantitative), using Minayo’s methodology for content analysis and frequency analyses, made with 39 participants from the University of Brasília Educational Program, Universidade do Envelhecer – UniSER/UnB. We used a word cloud system and a wheel of life tool to showcase the results. Results: Analysing professional achievements and situations participants want to overcome, the categories of feelings that stand out were Loving Relationships, Sadness, Family Absence, Grief, Trauma and Regret. Intellectual Development, Personal Fulfilment, Purpose and Creativity, Hobbies and Fun were the most mentioned personal plans displayed by the wheel of life. The key personal changes mentioned were to be less shy, prioritise themselves, change how they interact with others, and focus on their health. Conclusions: This study concludes that perception, feelings and life experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic did not seem to directly affect the path in elaborating personal plans.
1 December 2019 in Revista Brasileira de Medicina do Esporte
Introduction Fast population aging is a global reality. Today’s major challenge is to promote the healthy aging of more and more people by acting on factors that can be modified, such as physical exercise. Regular exercise could contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases associated with aging. Research has been conducted on the physical training response of elderly individuals, but there is not yet any consensus on the influence of strength training or IL-6 polymorphism on levels of inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and muscle damage marker CK, particularly in healthy elderly male individuals. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of IL-6 promoter -174 C/G gene polymorphism on systemic IL-6 responses and muscle damage after eccentric strength training in elderly men. Methods This is a prospective, high-quality study. Gene frequency of polymorphism of promoter gene IL6 G-174C was identified using the Hardy-Weinberg test in 28 older male volunteers. The relationships of each genotype with IL-6 and CK serum levels were analyzed. CK and IL-6 levels were determined at pre-training and 0h, 3h, 24h, and 48h post-training periods. Results Differences in baseline and post-training IL-6 levels of genotypic groups were observed for all time periods analyzed (p = 0.029). Eccentric exercise efficiently reduced post-intervention muscle damage, thus showing a statistical difference between the pre- and post-intervention time points ( p = <0.0005). Conclusion Eccentric training influenced CK and IL-6 modulation independently of the polymorphism of the IL-6 promoter gene -174 C/G. Level of evidence II, Prospective comparative type.
The inadequate and abusive usage of psychoactive substances is something real that affects Brazil’s elderly population, and it is a huge challenge for the public health system and its professionals. Aware of the social impact involving the use of illegal drugs, in 2002, the Ministry of Health instituted a network of psychosocial assistance as a strategy to deal with the problem. This study carried out an analysis of the profile of use of legal and illegal drugs by the elderly who are assisted by the network of psychosocial assistance in the Federal District. A quantitative and analytical study with secondary data collection, using patient records held in the CAPS-AD in the Federal District. The inclusion criteria were people of 60 and over who were users of alcohol and other drugs and who sought assistance at CAPS-AD between 2000 and 2017. A total of 408 medical records were analyzed concerning social demographic variations, types of rehabilitation services sought, types of substances consumed, associations between drugs consumed, time of consumption, and adherence to the treatment. Most of the elderly users were male (85.3%), on average 64 ± 4.42 years old. Regarding the drugs consumed, the highest quantity was for illegal substances (76%), compared to the legal ones (23%). No significant difference was found between males (OR = 1.1) and females (OR = 0.74) regarding the use or abuse of multiple drugs. The elderly used both legal and illegal drugs for a long period of time, with low adherence to the treatment, and alcohol consumption among the elderly prevailed above the other psychoactive substances.
Com o crescente acesso aos recursos digitais, o uso desses no monitoramento e autogerenciamento de condições de saúde pode ser promissor. Contudo, para a integração efetiva dessas tecnologias nas rotinas de saúde, é crucial identificar habilidades e recursos do usuário, bem como desenvolver estratégias que atendam às suas necessidades. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os tipos de literacias necessárias para que pessoas idosas utilizem aplicativos de saúde. Foi realizada uma revisão de escopo orientada pela metodologia JBI Evidence Synthesis e utilizado o PRISMA-ScR. Selecionaram-se 19 trabalhos, distribuídos entre 2014 e 2024, divididos nas categorias literacia computacional, literacia informacional, literacia midiática e literacia em saúde. Os estudos encontrados apontam para a necessidade de que futuras pesquisas possam aprimorar métodos para avaliar, melhorar a usabilidade e promover a acessibilidade de aplicativos de saúde para pessoas idosas.
1 February 2022 in Clinical Interventions in Aging
Aim: The use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIM) can impair the safety and effectiveness of pharmacotherapy in the older adults. Thus, several countries have lists and criteria to indicate these drugs, in order to promote the safety of prescription and the rational use of drugs in geriatric practice. Objective: This study sought to contribute to the inclusion of PIM for the older adults in the Brazilian criterion (BCPIM/2016) – current list used in Brazil and reference in Latin American countries – through expert approval, comparing convergences with international AGS lists BEERS/2019, STOPP/START/2015, PRISCUS/2010 and EU (7)-PIM List/2015. Methods: This is a critical analysis of potentially inappropriate medications for use in the older adults present in the list of Brazilian criteria, together with their absence of some drugs that are on international lists (BEERS/2019; Priscus/2010; Stopp/Start/2015; EU7-PIM list/2015). This study was subdivided in 6 stages: selection of national criteria, classification of drugs according to Anatomic Therapeutic Chemical, comparison between BCPIM/2016 with international lists, selection of drugs not included in the Brazilian list, selection of experts for evaluation and suggestions about drugs not included in the Brazilian list and the synthesis of the analysis carried out by the specialists. Results: We cataloged 66 drugs marketed in Brazil that are on international lists, but not in the Brazilian consensus, of which 24 were validated by experts as necessary for inclusion in this consensus, considering the risks and benefits in health care for the older adults. However, the lists have divergences and similarities between them. We observed that eight drugs were common to all criteria studied, mainly related to the nervous system. Conclusion: The results suggest the need for periodic validation of PIM against research clinics, new drugs and the inclusion of this agenda by the Ministry of Health in the revision of the National List of Essential Drugs and other Clinical Protocols and Therapeutic Prescription Guidelines for the older adults.