Factors related to gait and balance deficits in older adults

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities on gait and balance deficits among nursing home residents with different diseases in Jordan and also to find the risk of fall associated with or without these diseases.MethodsA sample of 221 nursing home residents aged 18–100 years in Jordan was recruited for this study. All participants were assessed using the Arabic versions of the Tinetti assessment battery (TAB) for gait and balance, mini–mental state examination, and disability of arm, shoulder, and hand assessment test.ResultsA total of 221 nursing home residents were included in this study. Different chronic diseases were medically reported in this study. Psychiatric disorders (45.7%) were shown to be the most prevalent disease seen among the participants, followed by hypertension and diabetes mellitus affecting 33.5% and 23.5% of the participants, respectively. However, the least prevalent diseases were stroke (17.2%), joint inflammation (17.2%), and arthritis (9.0%). Based on TAB scores, the participants were classified into three groups: high risk of falls (≤18; n=116), moderate risk of falls (19–23; n=25), and low risk of falls (≥24; n=80). The correlation between physical activity and mental health problems with risks of falls was reported in all participants. The data showed that participants with over 50% upper extremity disability, stroke, heart disease, arthritis, joint diseases, diabetes, and hypertension recorded higher risks of falls as measured by TAB test compared to those with low and moderate TAB scores. Also, impairment in cognitive abilities and psychiatric disorders was shown to be associated with gait and balance problems, with a higher risk of falls in 47.5% and 46.1% of the residents, respectively.ConclusionThis study revealed a significant impact of upper limb disability, stroke, heart disease, arthritis, joint diseases, diabetes, and hypertension as well as psychiatric disorders and cognitive disabilities on gait and balance deficits among home-resident older adults.

Avaliação funcional de pacientes internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva adulto do Hospital Universitário de Canoas

“…This study tested the hypothesis that would be decline in relation to gait and balance, verified by Tinetti index POMA Brazil. However, the results presented were considered satisfactory within the score presented by the index, while Al-Momani et al 19 , after checking the good reliability of this assessment, classified their sample by correlating the scores found in the index with three levels of fall risk (low, moderate, and high), and 52.5% presented high fall potential. Thus, this research suggests, in a subsequent application, the use of data from Tinetti index also in these levels, complementing the use of findings with their classification, aiming at the prevention of aggravations.…”

“…The most frequent hospitalization diagnosis was Acute Myocardial Infarction. The median of the length of stay in ICU was 5 (3-9) days and, in the hospital, 13 (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) days.…”

“…A mediana do tempo de internação na UTI foi de 5 (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9) dias, e de internação hospitalar de 13 (10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) …”

Dementia in Eastern Mediterranean countries: A systematic review

“…However, studies having an average quality were included in this review due to the limited number of studies available and due to their valuable contributions to the field. There were eleven cross-sectional studies; four of these estimated the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disorder and mild cognitive impairment, and discussed the risks associated with sociodemographic factors; n=944 Palestinian, in addition to n=200 and n=44 Egyptian from two studies, and, n=221 Jordanian (Afgin et al, 2012;Esmayel, Eldarawy, Hassan, Mahmoud, & Mohamed, 2013;Khedr et al, 2015;Almomani, Almomani, Alghadir, Alharethy, & Gabr, 2016). A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands determined the prevalence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment across cultures, based on Arab participants (n=1625), and assessed the validity of the Cross-Cultural Dementia Screening tool .…”

“…In the EM region, awareness has increased of the prevalence of dementia in general and particularly Alzheimer's disease (Werner et al, 2015;Elshahidi et al, 2017). It is generally agreed that dementia, cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease are more common in the over 70s (Almomani et al, 2016;Elshahidi et al, 2017). However, there were a number of conflicting findings among the studies.…”