RESUMEN
CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:: Aging causes changes in men and women. Studies have shown that women have worse postural balance and greater functional dependence than men, but there is no consensus regarding this. The aim of this study was to compare the balance and functional independence of elderly people according to sex and age, and to evaluate the association between postural balance and the number of drugs taken. DESIGN AND SETTING:: Cross-sectional at a state university. METHODS:: 202 elderly people were evaluated regarding balance (Berg Scale), independence (Barthel Index), age, sex, number of medications and physical activity. RESULTS:: The subjects comprised 117 women (70.2 ± 5.6 years old) and 85 men (71.1 ± 6.9 years old). For balance, there was no significant difference regarding sex, but there was a difference regarding age (P < 0.0001). For functional independence, there was a difference regarding sex (P = 0.003), but not regarding age. The variables of age, medications and physical activity were significant for predicting the Berg score. For the Barthel index, only age and sex were significant. Elderly people who took three or more medications/day showed higher risk of falling than those who took up two drugs/day (odds ratio = 5.53, P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval, 2.3-13.0). CONCLUSIONS:: There was no sexual difference in relation to postural balance. However, people who were more elderly presented a high risk of falling. Functional dependence was worse among females. There was an association between the number of medication drugs and risk of falling.
Asunto(s)
Actividades Cotidianas , Envejecimiento/fisiología , Equilibrio Postural/fisiología , Accidentes por Caídas , Distribución por Edad , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Análisis de Varianza , Estudios Transversales , Utilización de Medicamentos/estadística & datos numéricos , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Femenino , Evaluación Geriátrica , Humanos , Modelos Lineales , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valores de Referencia , Factores de Riesgo , Distribución por Sexo , Factores Sexuales , Estadísticas no ParamétricasRESUMEN
ABSTRACT CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Aging causes changes in men and women. Studies have shown that women have worse postural balance and greater functional dependence than men, but there is no consensus regarding this. The aim of this study was to compare the balance and functional independence of elderly people according to sex and age, and to evaluate the association between postural balance and the number of drugs taken. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional at a state university. METHODS: 202 elderly people were evaluated regarding balance (Berg Scale), independence (Barthel Index), age, sex, number of medications and physical activity. RESULTS: The subjects comprised 117 women (70.2 ± 5.6 years old) and 85 men (71.1 ± 6.9 years old). For balance, there was no significant difference regarding sex, but there was a difference regarding age (P < 0.0001). For functional independence, there was a difference regarding sex (P = 0.003), but not regarding age. The variables of age, medications and physical activity were significant for predicting the Berg score. For the Barthel index, only age and sex were significant. Elderly people who took three or more medications/day showed higher risk of falling than those who took up two drugs/day (odds ratio = 5.53, P < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval, 2.3-13.0). CONCLUSIONS: There was no sexual difference in relation to postural balance. However, people who were more elderly presented a high risk of falling. Functional dependence was worse among females. There was an association between the number of medication drugs and risk of falling.
RESUMO CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O envelhecimento provoca alterações em homens e mulheres. Estudos mostraram que mulheres têm pior equilíbrio postural e maior dependência funcional do que homens, mas isso não é consenso. O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o equilíbrio e a independência funcional de idosos por sexo e idade, e avaliar a associação de equilíbrio postural com o número de medicamentos ingeridos. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal em uma universidade estadual. MÉTODOS: 202 idosos foram avaliados quanto ao equilíbrio (Escala de Berg), independência (Índice de Barthel), além da idade, sexo, número de medicamentos e atividade física. RESULTADOS: Os sujeitos foram 117 mulheres (70,2 ± 5,6 anos) e 85 homens (71,1 ± 6,9 anos). No equilíbrio, não houve diferença significativa por sexo, mas houve por idade (P < 0.0001). Para a independência funcional, houve diferença por sexo (P = 0,003), mas não por idade. As variáveis idade, medicação e atividade física foram significativas para predizer o escore de Berg. Para o índice de Barthel, apenas a idade e o sexo foram significativos. Idosos que ingeriram 3 ou mais medicamentos/dia mostraram maior risco de cair do que os que ingeriram até 2 drogas/dia (odds ratio = 5,53, P < 0.0001, intervalo de confiança de 95%, 2,3-13,0). CONCLUSÕES: Não houve diferença entre sexos em relação ao equilíbrio postural; idosos mais velhos, contudo, apresentaram grande risco de cair; a dependência funcional foi pior no sexo feminino. Foi encontrada associação entre número de medicamentos utilizados e risco de cair.