Abstract
Aim: Evaluate the self-perception of health in elderly patients with osteoarticular diseases residing in a Rio Grande do Sul city. Method: This is a quantitative and descriptive cross sectional study. The sample was composed of 78 elderly patients with osteoarticular diseases who practice physical activity. The population was submitted to a questionnaire, which has investigated sociodemographic data and the health perception status of the elderly, of this part the population was divided, then selected those who were suffer from osteoarticular diseases and practitioners of physical exercise. Results: Most part of the subjects were female, in the age group of 60-69 years, widow, Catholic and has finished elementary school, they are not smokers or drinkers and have a rent of a minimum wage. And perceived their health status as poor. Conclusion: The majority of elderlies report their health status as poor, which may reinforce the idea that the perception of being ill may be related to the presence of osteoarticular diseases that can lead to disability and functional limitations.