Evaluation of health parameters, use of drugs, and alcohol intake among an elderly population in São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil

AIM: To evaluate health parameters (blood pressure, heart rate and blood glucose), the use of medicines and alcohol consumption in elderly residents in the city of São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil. METHODS: A sample of 500 elderly individuals (98 men and 402 women, with mean age of 69.5 years) was examined. Personal data and medicines used by the patients were recorded, general health aspects were assessed and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was applied to survey alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Two hundred and four patients (40.8%) presented high blood pressure a...