Prevalência de declínio neurocognitivo leve e vulnerabilidade clínico-funcional em população idosa rural no norte do estado do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

Increased life expectancy poses health challenges, directing effective strategies for aging. This process involves social, psychological, physiological and cognitive changes, favoring the emergence of Mild Cognitive Decline and Clinical-Functional Vulnerability, which impact the quality of life of the elderly population. In addition to age, modifiable factors, such as living in rural areas, level of education, access to health care and presence of chronic diseases directly influence healthy aging, and can act as both risk factors and protective elements. This dissertation investigated the prevalence of MCI and Clinical-Functional Vulnerability in elderly people living in rural areas in northern Rio Grande do Sul, aiming to support health strategies and policies. This is a cross-sectional quantitative observational study that evaluated 435 elderly people living in rural areas. The Montreal Cognitive Basic (MoCA-B), the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Instrument - 20 (IVCF-20) and a Sociodemographic Questionnaire were used. All participants answered the instruments at home. Most participants were women (64.5%), aged 60 to 80 years, with low levels of education and dependency on rural work. Access to health care was mainly through the SUS (80.5%). MCI was identified in 38.86% of the elderly, while 61.14% had preserved cognition. Regarding Clinical-Functional Vulnerability, 84.7% exhibited low vulnerability, 9.5% were at risk of frailty and 3.8% presented frailty. There was an association between age and education with MCI, but no relationship was found between chronic diseases and MCI. The results highlight the importance of quality access to public health care in strengthening the health conditions of the elderly, contributing to mitigating the effects of environmental risk factors.