Factors associated with functional disability in older adults with cancer treated at reference outpatient clinics in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the factors associated with functional disability in older adults with cancer treated at reference outpatient clinics in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. Method: Cross-sectional study with 463 elderly aged 60 years or older. The outcome variable was the functional disability assessed using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL) developed by Lawton and Brody. The independent variables were sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, social support and health conditions. Bivariate and multiple analyzes were performed, calculating the Prevalence Ratios (PR), using Poisson Regression with robust variance. Results: Prevalence of functional disability for IADL was 55.3%. The variables associated with functional disability for IADL in the multiple analysis were: not working (PR=1.36; 95%CI: 1.03-1.78), perception of low (PR=1.49, 95%CI %: 1.10-2.03) and medium (PR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.04-1.64) affective support, depressive symptoms (PR=1.31, 95%CI: 1.10-1.56), being malnourished (PR=1.28, 95%CI: 1.03-1.59), having two or more comorbidities (PR=1.30, 95%CI: 1.03-1.64) and having a companion to the services health care (PR=1.39, 95%CI: 1.05-1.83). Conclusion: In addition to physical health conditions, comorbidity and malnutrition, emotional, social support and work issues were associated with functional disability, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive care and actions to maintain and recover functional capacity, promoting greater quality of life, independence of the older adults with cancer and reduced risk of adverse outcomes in the biopsychosocial scope.