Estado de salud y valoración gerontológica en adultos mayores mexicanos ante la pandemia por COVID-19

espanolIntroduccion: Los adultos mayores constituyen el grupo mas vulnerable ante la pandemia por COVID-19; en Mexico, sus condiciones biopsicosociales podrian potenciar su vulnerabilidad. Metodo: Se analizo afiliacion a sistemas de salud, condiciones de salud y evaluacion gerontologica de 3218 adultos mayores conforme a la metodologia de la Encuesta Salud, Bienestar y Envejecimiento OPS-Mexico. Resultados: 88.6 % de los adultos mayores refirio afiliacion a un sistema de salud; 30.2, 52.4, 10.3, 4.1 y 5.6 % indicaron padecer diabetes mellitus, hipertension arterial, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva cronica, enfermedad cardiaca y evento vascular cerebral, respectivamente; 15.6 % reporto incontinencia urinaria y 11.3 %, fecal; 12.1 % de las mujeres indico haber padecido en algun momento cancer de mama y 6.3 %, cancer cervicouterino. Se observo habito de fumar tabaco en 11.1 %, riesgo de malnutricion en 32.8 %, malnutricion establecida en 4.1 %, dependencia funcional para las actividades basicas en 16.3 % e instrumentales de la vida diaria en 17.6 %. Conclusion: La evaluacion gerontologica integral es fundamental para la atencion eficiente de los adultos mayores que padecen COVID-19 y para la adecuada atencion por los efectos o condiciones de salud al terminar el confinamiento por la pandemia. EnglishIntroduction: Older adults constitute the most vulnerable population group to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Mexico, their biopsychosocial conditions might intensify their vulnerability. Method: Affiliation to health systems, health conditions and gerontological evaluation of 3,218 older adults were analyzed following the methodology of the PAHO-Mexico Health, Well-being and Aging Survey. Results: 88.6 % of older adults referred being affiliated to health systems; 30.2 %, 52.4 %, 10.3 %, 4.1 % and 5.6 % referred suffering from diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, respectively; 15.6 % reported urinary incontinence, and 11.3%, fecal incontinence; 12.1 % of the women referred having suffered from breast cancer at some point, and 6.3 %, cervical cancer. The habit of smoking tobacco was observed in 11.1 %, risk of malnutrition in 32.8 %, established malnutrition in 4.1 %, and functional dependence for basic and instrumental activities of daily life in 16.3 % and 17.6 %, respectively. Conclusion: Comprehensive gerontological evaluation is essential for efficient care of older adults who suffer from COVID-19, and for adequate care of the effects or health conditions at the conclusion of the confinement imposed by the pandemic.