Prevalence and associated factors of stroke in older adults in Brazil, 2019

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence and sociodemographic factors, of health-related behaviors, chronic diseases, body mass index and self-rated health associated with stroke in older adults in Brazil, as well as to verify the frequency of practices used in care. Population-based cross-sectional study with data from the 2019 National Health Survey (≥60 years; n=22,728). Adjusted odds ratio were estimated using logistic regression. The prevalence of stroke was 5.6% (95%CI:5.1-6.1), higher in men, in those aged ≥70 years, in black and brown people, with less education, without health insurance and in former smokers. Higher also in those who reported hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, depression and heart disease, particularly acute myocardial infarction (19.0%; 95%CI:15.8-22.7). Dieting was reported by 47.2%, physiotherapy by 17.0%; 26.1% used aspirin regularly, 60.8% were monitored by a health professional and 53.7% reported limitations in their usual activities. The findings identify the subgroups most affected by stroke and highlight that less than 20% of the older adults with stroke reported undergoing physical therapy, highlighting the need to expand multidisciplinary care in the health care network for this subgroup.