EpiFloripa Aging cohort study: methods, operational aspects, and follow-up strategies

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the sample plan, operational aspects, and strategies used in the 2009/2010 and 2013/2014 EpiFloripa Aging Study. METHODS The EpiFloripa Aging is a population-based longitudinal study with 1,705 older adults (60 years or more) living in the municipality of Florianópolis, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil, in 2009/2010 (baseline). The research was conducted with a face-to-face interviews, organized into blocks of identification, socioeconomic, mental health, health and life habits, global functionality, falls, physical activity, morbidities, use of health services, use of medications, food, oral health, and violence, evaluated in the first (2009/2010) and in the second wave (2013/2014). Additionally, in the second wave, we investigated the issue of discrimination and quality of life. RESULTS The response rate of the first wave was 89.2% (n = 1,705). The baseline sample, with predominance of women (63.9%), was similar to the 2010 Census regarding age for women and slightly different for younger men. In the second wave, 1,197 participants were interviewed (response rate of 70.3%). Follow-up losses were only observed for the variable age group (p = 0.003), and predominantly for those aged 80 years or more. Mortality data linkage and active search for participants were used as a follow-up strategies. CONCLUSIONS This study used strategies that were able to help locate the participants and maintain adherence, which ensured a good response rate during investigations.

摘要
研究目的：阐明2009/2010年与2013/2014年EpiFloripa衰老研究（EpiFloripa Aging Study）所采用的抽样方案、实施细节与研究策略。
研究方法：本研究为基于人群的纵向研究，以巴西圣卡塔琳娜州弗洛里亚诺波利斯市居住的1705名60岁及以上老年人群为研究对象，基线调查于2009/2010年开展。研究采用面对面访谈形式，访谈模块涵盖身份信息、社会经济状况、心理健康、健康与生活习惯、整体功能状态、跌倒情况、体力活动、患病情况、医疗服务利用、用药情况、饮食、口腔健康与受暴经历，分别于第一波调查（2009/2010年，即基线）与第二波调查（2013/2014年）进行评估。此外，第二波调查额外新增了歧视经历与生活质量相关内容的调研。
研究结果：第一波调查的应答率为89.2%（n=1705）。基线样本中女性占比63.9%，女性年龄分布与2010年人口普查结果基本一致，男性年龄分布则与普查结果略有差异。第二波调查共完成1197名参与者的访谈，应答率为70.3%。仅在年龄分组变量上观察到失访差异（p=0.003），失访人群主要集中于80岁及以上群体。本研究采用死亡率数据关联与主动寻访参与者两种方式作为随访策略。
研究结论：本研究所采用的定位与维持研究依从性策略，保障了调查过程中良好的应答率。