Search

Objective: To tested the reliability and validity of Aofas in a sample of rheumatoid arthritis patients., Methods: The scale was applicable to rheumatoid arthritis patients, twice by the interviewer 1 and once by the interviewer 2. The Aofas was subjected to test-retest reliability analysis (with 20 Rheumatoid arthritis subjects). The psychometric properties were investigated using Rasch analysis on 33 Rheumatoid arthritis patients., Results: Intra-Class Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were (0.90

The objective of this research was to evaluate the data on the health of the elderly population available in the Brazilian information system and their correspondence with the North American statistics using the Internet. The North American publication "Older Americans 2000: Key Indicators of Well-Being" was used as a standard. The databases and instruments used in the North American and Brazilian surveys are presented. The North American data are based on the Supplement on Aging and Second Supplement on Aging; Health and Retirement Study; National Health Interview Survey and National Long Term Care Survey. The Brazilian data were collected from the Mortality Information System; Information System of the National Program of Immunizations; National Household Sample Survey conducted in 1998 and 2003 and from the Household Survey on Risk Behavior and Morbidity from Not Transmissible Diseases of 2002-2003. There is a great number of Brazilian information about the aged population of the Country available in the Internet and with few exceptions the information on aged Brazilians corresponds to the information available about aged North Americans.

Objective: To identify indicators used in evaluating the population 65 years of age and older in Brazil that are comparable to those used in the United States, and to compare the situation of this age group in the two countries., Method: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, based on secondary data. Brazilian equivalents to the well-being indicators employed in the United States were searched in websites published by government health or planning institutions. Data from national surveys were also employed, and when necessary, data from existing databases were reanalyzed., Results: Of the 31 indicators used in the United States, an equivalent in Brazil was not found for only three: memory impairment, social activity, and violent crime. In the United States, the number of older individuals was greater; level of education was also higher in this age group. The two countries were similar in terms of health status and life expectancy at 65 years of age. Death rates due to cerebrovascular disease and diabetes were higher in Brazil, while death rates due to malignant neoplasms were higher in the United States. Disabilities and self-reported morbidity due to arthritis and depression were more frequent in the United States. The self-perception of health status as good was higher in Brazil, whereas the indicators related to life habits and risk factors indicated a more favorable situation in the United States., Conclusions: If the discriminating power of the indicators is truly adequate, the health conditions of the elderly in these two countries are similar.