Self-perceived health and clinical-functional vulnerability of the elderly in Belo Horizonte/Minas Gerais

Objective: To determine the self-perceived health status and clinical-functional vulnerability of the elderly attended at a Reference Center of Minas Gerais, Brazil and to evaluate the association between these variables through the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index (IVCF-20) instrument. Method: This is an epidemiological, retrospective study of 311 medical records. Statistical analyses were performed using the Stata program; the evaluations were by Pearson's Chi-square test and Poisson regression models. Results: The majority of the elderly presented negative self-perceived health status(70.10%); there was statistical significance between negative self-perceived health and the variables of mood and recent hospitalization. Conclusion: Perceived health status influences the morbidity and mortality of the elderly. Mood disorders and recent hospitalizations directly interfere with active aging.