Functional capacity and risk of falls in the elderly with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is the most common metabolic abnormality in the population that predisposes to cardiovascular events and may be related to poor physical fitness and low functional capacity in the elderly. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interference of metabolic changes in functional capacity and risk of falls in the elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 126 elderly subjects, 58 presented MetS and 68 without MetS, according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Katz Index, Tinetti Index, Timed Up and Go test and Berg Scale were applied to evaluate the functional capacity. Falls Efficacy Scale-International scale (FES-I-Brazil) was used to evaluate the fear of falling. For statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Spearman correlation tests were used. Results: There was an association between the MetS and non-MetS groups in relation to the risk strata of the TUG index [p=0.02; OR=0.38; 95%CI (0.16-0.91)]. Between these two groups, there was a significant difference in the mean of the following markers: Berg scale (p=0.03); TUG (p=0.03); FES-I-Brazil (p=0.02). The Kats and IPAQ index did not show any significant association. Conclusions: Elderly patients with MetS presented higher risk and fear of falls when compared to patients without MetS. However, there was no variation in walking ability or balance.

Avaliação e fatores associados à incapacidade funcional de idosos residentes em Instituições de longa permanência

“…O Índice de independência nas atividades de vida diária (Índice de Katz), foi desenvolvido por Sidney Katz e publicado pela primeira vez em 1963. É composto pela avaliação das atividades de alimentação, vestir-se, continência, transferência, ir ao banheiro e banhar-se, classificando o idoso em níveis de dependência de acordo com o número de atividades comprometidas, numa escala que varia de zero (independente para as seis atividades básicas de vida diária) a seis (dependente para as seis atividades básicas de vida diária) 9 . A avaliação era realizada através da observação direta, pelos pesquisadores, e complementada e/ou confirmada com os próprios idosos e/ou cuidadores, quando necessário.…”