Functional Limitations Resulting From Mental Illnesses: Which Older Adult Population Is Most Affected?

To assess the sociodemographic profile of older adults most affected by limitations in usual activities resulting from depression and other mental disorders. This was a quantitative cross-sectional study using data from the most recent National Health Survey (PNS - 2019). Individuals aged 60 years or older from all regions of Brazil were analyzed according to age, schooling, literacy, marital status, skin color or race, region of residence, number of household residents, and income. The dependent variable was the presence of functional limitations in usual activities resulting from depression (n=2,366 diagnosed individuals) and other mental disorders (n=859 diagnosed individuals). The independent variables comprised sociodemographic characteristics, including sex. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression. Functional limitations resulting from depression were identified in 58.58% of older adults and were associated, in the univariate analysis, with literacy, schooling, income, and region of residence (p<0.05). Regarding other mental disorders, 50.06% presented functional limitations, which were associated with schooling and income (p<0.05). In the explanatory models, an income below two minimum wages was associated with increased odds of functional limitations for both depression and other mental disorders. Among older adults with depression, illiteracy was also associated with higher odds of functional limitations. The results indicate that older adults with low income and those who are illiterate have higher odds of experiencing functional limitations resulting from depression, whereas, for limitations associated with other mental disorders, only low income was a significant influencing factor.