Cluster of factors related to metabolic changes in older individuals: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Exposure to multiple risk factors related to metabolic changes can negatively affect the health status of older individuals. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clustering of factors related to metabolic changes in older individuals. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional s...

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Main Authors: Clarice Alves dos Santos, Mariana Alves dos Santos, Manuela Alves dos Santos, Milena Fernandez Dias, Lélia Renata Carneiro Vasconcelos, Saulo Vasconcelos Rocha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Associação Paulista de Medicina 2025-04-01
Series:São Paulo Medical Journal
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-31802025000200208&lng=en&tlng=en
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Summary:ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Exposure to multiple risk factors related to metabolic changes can negatively affect the health status of older individuals. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clustering of factors related to metabolic changes in older individuals. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study involving 287 older individuals (≥ 60 years old) enrolled in the Family Health Strategy in the municipality of Ibicuí, state of Bahia. METHODS: Factors associated with metabolic changes were abdominal obesity, self-reported diabetes, high blood pressure, sedentary behavior, and physical inactivity. Clustering was defined by an observed-to-expected prevalence (O/E) ratio greater than 1.20. The association between these factors was analyzed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of seven clusters were identified with a predominance of diabetes, hypertension, sedentary behavior, and abdominal obesity (O/E = 2.28). Older adults were more likely to present with physical inactivity, diabetes, blood pressure, and sedentary behavior simultaneously (Odds Ratio [OR] = 7.78; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25–48.42). Negative health perception was associated with the combination of high blood pressure, sedentary behavior, and abdominal obesity (OR = 0.23; 95%CI = 0.25–0.92); female sex with the cluster of physical inactivity and abdominal obesity (OR = 0.12; 95%CI = 0.04–0.35); and the occurrence of physical inactivity without the presence of other factors (OR = 3.87; 95%CI = 1.66–8.99). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of risk factors related to metabolic changes represents a greater probability of health problems than individual factors. Therefore, investigating the association between these factors will help in planning targeted interventions.
ISSN:1806-9460