Quality of Life and Gait in Elderly Group

Abstract Introduction The process of aging could lead to seniors being more prone to falls, which affects their quality of life. Objective The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between quality of life and gait in the elderly. Methods We used World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-Brief) Brazilian version and the Dynamic Gait Index to assess fifty-six volunteers from the northeast of Brazil. Ages ranged from 60 to 85 years. Results The Dynamic Gait Index, which indicates the probability of falls, resulted in 36.3% of the sample presenting abnormal results. There was correlation between domain 2 (psychological) and domain 4 (environment) with domain 1(Physical) and domain 3 (Social); a negative correlation between age and Domain 2; correlation between Question 1 (How would you rate your quality of life?) and domains 1, 2, and 4 and no correlation between questions 1 and 2 (How satisfied are you with your health?). Question 2 was correlated with all of the domains. There was negative association between question 1 and falls, and a slight correlation between the Dynamic Gait Index scores and Question 1. Conclusion The self-perception of the study group about their quality of life was either good or very good, even though a considerable percentage of individuals had suffered falls or reported gait disturbances.

Eficácia de programa de prevenção de quedas em idosos / Efficacy in Falls Prevention Programs for the Elderly / Efectividad del programa de prevención de caídas en ancianos

Introdução:O envelhecimento dos sistemas envolvidos no equilíbrio corporal pode causar eventos de quedas e piorar a qualidade de vida de idosos. Objetivo: verificar a eficácia de um programa de prevenção a quedas em idosos socialmente ativos. Método: 60 idosos foram submetidos à Avaliação da Mobilidade Orientada pelo Desempenho (Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment ­ POMA) e à Escala de eficácia de quedas ­ Internacional ­ Brasil (Falls Efficacy Scale International ­ FES I-Brasil)l que avaliam, respectivamente, a tendência e o medo de quedas. Aqueles com escores alterados participaram de um programa de intervenção durante oito semanas consecutivas e foram reavaliados. Resultados: Na avaliação do equilíbrio orientado, 70,0% dos idosos apresentaram risco moderado, 5,0 % risco alto e 25,0% risco baixo para queda, ocorrendo associação siginificante e inversamente proporcional com a idade. No término do programa, verificou-se associação entre os resultados iniciais e finais nos testes, visto que ocorreu a redução total do risco alto e elevação do risco baixo para 68,0%. Verificou-se a diminuição com a preocupação com quedas frente à associação significante entre o medo de quedas inicial e a reavaliação. Conclusão: A proposta se mostrou eficaz uma vez que diminuiu o risco de quedas melhorando, consequentemente, o equilíbrio corporal dos voluntários da pesquisa. Promoveu, ainda, a redução com a preocupação de futuras quedas, principalmente nos idosos mais longevos.

Introduction: The aging of systems involved in body balance can cause fall episodes and worsen life quality in the elderly. Objective: To verify the efficacy of a fall prevention program in socially active elderly. Method: 60 elderly were submitted to a Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment and to the Falls Efficacy Scale International FES I-Brasil that evaluate, respectively, the tendency and the fear of falling. Those with altered scores participated in an intervention program during eight consecutive weeks and were reevaluated. Results: In the oriented balance evaluation, 70.0% of the elderly presented moderate risk, 5.0% high risk and 25.0% for low fall risk, resulting in a significant relationship to age. At the end of the program it was confirmed the relationship between initial outcomes and final tests, noticing there was a total reduction of high risk and an increase of low risk to 68.0%. The reduction of falling fear was confirmed in view of the significant relationship between the initial fall fears and the reevaluation. Conclusion: The proposal was effective once the falling fears diminished, improving, consequently, body balance with those who volunteered in the research. It even promoted the reduction of future falling concerns, especially with older seniors.

Introducción: El envejecimiento de los sistemas involucrados en el equilibrio del cuerpo, puede provocar episodios de caídas y empeorar la calidad de vida en los ancianos. Objetivo: Verificar la eficacia de un programa de prevención de caídas en ancianos socialmente activos. Métodos: 60 ancianos fueron sometidos a la Evaluación del Desempeño de la Mobilidad y la Eficacia de Caidas en la Escala Internacional. (Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment e Falls Efficacy Scale International), para evaluar, respectivamente, la tendencia y el miedo a caerse. Aquellas personas con puntuación alterada participaron en un programa de intervención durante ocho semanas consecutivas y fueron reevaluados. Resultados: En la evaluación del equilibrio orientado, el 70,0% de los sujetos presentaron riesgo moderado de caerse, 5,0% alto y de un bajo riesgo de 25,0%. En los extremos del programa, hubo una relación entre los resultados de las pruebas iniciales y finales, así como la reducción total de alto riesgo y un bajo riesgo que alcanzó 68,0%. Se confirmó una disminución del miedo de caerse frente a la relación significativa entre el miedo inicial y la revaluación. Conclusión: La propuesta mostró ser eficaz una vez que disminuyó el riesgo de caídas, mejorando, consecuentemente, el equilibrio corporal de los voluntarios en la investigación.También promovió la reducción con la preocupación de futuras caída, sobre todo en los más ancianos.

Fall-related traumas in urgent care centers

OBJECTIVE: To identify the scope and the characteristics of fall-related traumas in urgent care centers in Sergipe, Brazil and to verify potential associations among the following variables: gender, age, and where the event occurred. METHOD: This descriptive, cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach was conducted in the urgent care centers of two public referral hospitals in the state of Sergipe, Brazil. The data collection was conducted in November 2010, after approval was obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee, through a structured interview with a sample of 509 fall victims. RESULTS: Most of the participants were male, between 0 and 19 years old, single, with no impairments or preexisting diseases, nor regular use of medication or alcohol. The victims were brought to the hospital by ambulance and were accompanied. Most events occurred at home, were same-level falls, and most frequently resulted from slipping and tripping during recreational activities with a subsequent fracture, contusion or sprain. Most victims were discharged from the hospital after care delivery. Statistically significant associations were found between place of fall and age and gender. CONCLUSION: There is a high incidence of seeking out care in urgent care centers due to falls, which constitutes a severe public health problem that affects both genders in different age groups. The adoption of preventive measures aimed to reduce such events is urgently required.