Use of Intrinsic Capacity Domains as a Screening Tool in Public Health

Abstract

The World Health Organization (WHO) created the concept of Integrated Care for Older People and one of its constructs is intrinsic capacity (IC). The study aimed to carry out a screening with the tools designated by the WHO to assess the IC domains and whether they can be used as indicators for decision-making on integrated care for older people based on risk categorization. The interaction between the risk category and the domain scores was verified. One hundred and sixty three (163) community-dwelling older people of both genders were evaluated. Domains assessed: cognitive, psychological, vitality, locomotion, and sensory. Scores indicating a low, moderate and high risk were assigned to each domain. For all domains, there were individuals in all risk groups. Effect of risk on the domains: cognitive [χ2(2) = 134.042; p < 0.001], psychological [χ2(2) = 92.865; p < 0.001], vitality [χ2(2) = 129.564; p < 0.001], locomotion [χ2(2) = 144.101; p < 0.001], and sensory [χ2(2) = 129.037; p < 0.001]. Scores of the CI domains were affected by the risk category. There were individuals in all risk groups, demonstrating the importance of screening as a public health strategy, making it possible to know which risk category each elderly person belongs to and thus develop strategies in the short-, medium- and long-term.