Objective – To detect factors associated with cardiovascular mortality in the elderly of Botucatu.

Methods – We evaluated 29 variables of interest in a cohort of patients aged ³ 60 using data from a survey conducted between 1983/84. The elderly cohort was analyzed in 1992 to detect the occurrence of cardiovascular deaths. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test, and Cox regression analysis. Three models were adapted for each group of variables, and a final model was chosen from those variables selected from each group.

Results – We identified predictor variables for cardiovascular death according to age for elderly males as supporting the family, possessing a vehicle, and previous cardiovascular disease. In elderly females, the predictor variables were previous cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion – Promoting actions that give priority to those elderly who do not support the family and do not have a vehicle, and encouraging the already proposed actions of the State Secretary for adult programs (hypertension and diabetes subprograms), will result in an improvement in survival from cardiovascular disease.

Key words: survival, cardiovascular disease, elderly

Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu – UNESP e Institut Català dOncologia, Barcelona

Mailing address: Tania Ruiz – Department of Public Health - Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu (UNESP)
Caixa postal, 970 - 18618-970 – Botucatu, SP
E-mail: truiz@fmb.unesp.br