Factors associated with social risk in 85-year-old community residents.

AIM: To evaluate the social risk and identify possible related factors among community-dwelling 85-year-old residents.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A cross-sectional study within the frame of the Octabaix study was conducted. Subjects born in 1924 were included. Social risk was evaluated using the Gijon test (risk>9/25). Two groups were formed, using the cutoff value of 9.

RESULTS

Of 328 subjects, 202 (61.6%) were women, 174 (53%) were widowed and 100 (30.5%) lived alone. The mean Gijon test was 9.8 (2.6) and social risk prevalence was 52.4% (172). Logistic analysis showed association with female (OR: 3.49; 95% CI: 2.03-5.98), living alone (OR: 6.25; 95% CI: 3.57-12.5), incapacity (OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.71-0.89) and lower quality of life (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.97-1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of social risk among 85-year-olds is high (52%). Being a woman multiplies this risk by 3 and living alone in the community by 6.