Collective efficacy and depressive symptoms in Brazilian elderly.

The objective was to investigate the association between depressive symptoms and collective efficacy among the elderly in a municipality in southern Brazil. A cross-sectional population-based design was carried out. Structured interviews were held at the homes of 1007 elderly individuals.

The association of health and income in the elderly: experience from a southern state of Brazil.

Objectives: In high income, developed countries, health status tends to improve as income increases, but primarily through the 50(th)-66(th) percentile of income. It is unclear whether the same limitation holds in middle income countries, and for both general assessments of health and specific conditions.

Methods: Data were obtained from Brazil, a middle income country.

Prevalence and concomitants of arthritis in the elderly in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Objectives: Information on the prevalence and concomitants of arthritis in developing countries is sparse. It is unclear whether they are comparable to findings in developed countries. To ascertain the prevalence, demographic characteristics, and health-related concomitants of arthritis in older persons in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, a middle income country.

Prevalence and correlates of functional status in an older community--representative sample in Brazil.

Objective: Information on dependency level of elderly in rapidly aging developing countries is limited, but this is needed to ascertain the extent of need for help with activities of daily living (ADLs).

Method: In-person information was obtained in 1995 from a statewide survey of representative community residents >/=60 years of age in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil (N = 7,040), on demographic characteristics, health conditions, social ties, health behaviors, and ADL performance.

Results: Nearly 40% needed help with one or more ADLs.

Correlates of lifetime alcohol misuse among older community residents in Brazil.

Background: Little is known about the sociodemographic correlates and health effects associated with lifetime alcohol misuse in community dwelling elderly people in Brazil.

Method: Data were obtained from a representative sample of 6961 residents aged 60+ in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The structured interview included a five-item lifetime alcohol use questionnaire addressing abuse and dependence, and questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and social support, and health conditions.

The relationship between religiosity and tobacco, alcohol use, and depression in an elderly community population.

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the religious characteristics of older subjects and the associations of these characteristics to the use of tobacco, alcohol, and depression.

Methods: Data from a multistage random sample were used to examine associations between religiosity and health behaviors (tobacco use, alcohol) and depression among elderly house hold residents aged 60+ in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Survey measures included sociodemographic characteristics, four aspects of religiosity, tobacco use, alcohol abuse and dependence, depression, life style, social context, functional status, and health conditions.

Equity of access to outpatient care and hospitalization among older community residents in Brazil.

Objective: To determine whether, as mandated by Brazilian law, health care (outpatient care, hospitalization) among older community residents is based on health-related criteria and not on other characteristics.

Research Design: Cross-sectional, population-representative.

Subjects: Multistage, random sample of 7040 household residents aged >or=60 years in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

A prevalence study of current tobacco smoking in later life community and its association with sociodemographic factors, physical health and mental health status.

Objective: Evaluate the frequency of current smoking in elderly people living in urban areas of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Methods: Cross-sectional design. A representative sample of 6,961 elderly, randomly selected subjects, living in a community, was examined to estimate the frequency of current tobacco smoking.

Prevalence of self-reported sleep disturbance among older adults and the association of disturbed sleep with service demand and medical conditions.

Objective: This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of disturbed sleep and the association of disturbed sleep with medical conditions and service use among older adults.

Methods: A sample of 6961 household residents aged 60 and over was recruited from a population-based random sample. Each subject was examined in a face-to-face interview.

Chronic painful physical conditions, disturbed sleep and psychiatric morbidity: results from an elderly survey.

Background: The main purpose of this study is to investigate the association of disturbed sleep, chronic physical pain and psychiatric morbidity in people aged 60 years and over.

Methods: A population-based random sample of 7040 household residents aged 60 years and over, was examined in a face-to-face interview. Painful medical conditions were assessed through questions evaluating medical treatment, hospitalizations, and consultations for medical problems.

Depression morbidity in later life: prevalence and correlates in a developing country.

Objective: To investigate the one-month prevalence of depression morbidity and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, health and functional status, and use of health services in community residents aged 60 years and over in Brazil.

Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design of face-to-face interviews (N = 7,040) in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Participants were household residents aged 60 years and older.

Validity and limitations of the Brazilian version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 2.1).

Objective: To study the concurrent validity of the Brazilian Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 using as gold standard the clinical diagnoses based on the ICD-10 criteria and the Longitudinal, Expert, All Data (LEAD) procedure.

Method: The sample was composed of 185 subjects selected at psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric outpatient units, the community, and primary care services.

Co-occurrence of chronic physical pain and psychiatric morbidity in a community sample of older people.

Background: Knowledge about co-occurrence of the most frequent chronic pain symptoms with psychiatric morbidity in older people is very limited.

Objective: To study the association of psychiatric morbidity and painful physical conditions in people aged 60 years and over.

Method: Population-based random sample of 7,040 household residents, aged 60 years and over, in Brazil.

Effectiveness of time-limited psychotherapy for minor psychiatric disorders: randomised controlled trial evaluating immediate v. long-term effects.

Background: Psychotherapy research rarely has studied outcome in the longer term.

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of brief group dynamic psychotherapy (BGDP) intervention in patients with minor psychiatric disorders compared with the usual clinical management shortly after treatment termination and to investigate whether intervention would show a differential effect at 2-year follow-up.

Method: Patients were allocated randomly to an experimental or control group.