Can clinical and physical-functional factors predict falls in cognitively impaired older adults?

Abstract

<jats:p>Abstract Objective: to investigate the frequency of falls and clinical and physical-functional factors associated with falls, and the accuracy of such factors to identify the risk of falling in cognitively impaired older adults. Method: a cross-sectional study with cognitively impaired older adults was carried out using the Mini-Mental State Examination. The dependent variable was a history of falls in the previous six months. The independent variables were self-reported mental confusion, hearing and visual impairment, physical fatigue, muscle weakness, dizziness, body imbalance, insecurity when walking, diagnosed depression, hospitalizations, continuous use medications (form from study used), muscle mass (calf circumference) and handgrip strength (dynamometry), functional capacity (Pfeffer) and mobility (SAM-Br). Descriptive statistics were applied. The groups were compared using the Mann Whitney U test, the risk factors were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated for the associated factors. Results: 216 cognitively impaired older adults were included in the analysis, 41.7% of whom were fallers. Multivariate regression analyzes indicated that complaints of visual impairment (OR=2.8; p=0.015) and body imbalance (OR=2.7; p=0.004), and greater medication use (OR=1.1; p=0.038) were associated with a history of falls. The AUC found poor accuracy for quantity of medications as a screening tool for fallers (AUC=0.6 [0.5; 0.7]; p=0.028). Conclusion: cognitively impaired older adults had a high frequency of falls. Complaints of visual impairment, body imbalance and polypharmacy were predictors of falls. The early assessment of these factors can contribute to the identification of cognitively-impaired older adults at risk of falling in clinical practice and research.</jats:p>

Interações entre plantas medicinais e medicamentos em idosos hipertensos e/ou diabéticos

“…A Diabetes Mellitus e a Hipertensão Arterial, são as doenças que mais induzem ao uso de polimedicação, pois sua prevalência simultânea em idosos ultrapassa 15%, tornando-se um problema destaque para a Saúde Pública (Francisco et al, 2018). Ainda, a polimedicação também contribui negativamente à qualidade de vida do idoso, aumentando o risco de queda e a dependência familiar (Araújo et al, 2019). De acordo com Zeni et al (2017), o uso das plantas medicinais segue sendo destaque no dia a dia de grande parte da população pela credibilidade terapêutica, baixo custo, fácil acessibilidade e por serem consideradas inofensivas.…”