Quality of life, physical activity, and functionality in older primary care users in Porto Alegre-RS

OBJECTIVE: To study the possible relation between quality of life and sociodemographic, anthropometric, functional and physical activity characteristics in older users of the Family Health Strategy in Porto Alegre-RS. METHODS: Cross-sectional and analytical study with older subjects (≥ 60 years). Data were prospectively collected in a random sample of 30 health units. The following variables were analyzed: sociodemographic (age, marital status, education); anthropometric (weight, height, body mass index); functional (walking speed, handgrip strength, Sit/Stand test). The Flanagan Quality of Life Scale and the Minnesota Physical Activity and Leisure Questionnaire (level of physical activity) were applied. Logistic Regression (Backward Conditional Method) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Among the 577 older subjects evaluated (68.5 ± 6.4 years; 63.7% women), the majority (87%) presented high quality of life. In the initial multivariate (saturated) model, the following variables were considered as predictors of quality of life: gender, marital coexistence, time spent walking 10 m, higher Sit/Stand test score, handgrip strength, moderate, intense and total physical activity. The final model (6 steps) consisted of four variables: cohabitation, higher Sit/Stand test score, higher handgrip strength and engagement in intense physical activity. CONCLUSION: As observed, a high quality of life was related to older people who lived with a partner, presented higher upper and lower limb strength, and spent more time in the practice of intense physical activity.