Postural balance and functional independence of elderly people according to gender and age: cross-sectional study

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 equilí-brio, 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...

Assessment of nutritional status and functional ability in the elderly

“…The risk of falls among the elderly constitutes a common issue [12]. The studied group with the risk of falls suffered from nutritional status disorders, and the risk of nutritional status deterioration correlated with the risk of falls in the mulitparameter analysis.…”

“…Additionally, it encompasses numerous serious consequences, such as functional disability [6]. Unintentional body mass loss, an increase in sarcopenia due to aging, which leads to physical activity limitation and an increased risk of falling frequently ending with fractures, constitute just a few of the threats to physical ability which consequently lead to the immobility syndrome [12].…”

Associations between Age-Related Changes in the Core Vestibular Projection Pathway and Balance Ability: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study

“…With regard to fall risk, several previous studies have concluded that increased fall risk in the elderly is due to various neurological deficits [4,5,[41][42][43]. Nakagawa et al reported that gender did not influence balance, but that balance significantly decreased as age increased [5]. Iwamoto et al showed that the elderly were more dependent on supporting structures for postural stability [43].…”

“…Balance is an important aspect of rehabilitation and the most basic factor in terms of ambulation and the risk of falls during everyday activities [1,3,4]. Balance maintains body posture and reduces fall risk [5,6] and may be classified as static or dynamic. Balance control requires the complex integration of cognitive, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems [7,8], and age-related changes in these systems are known to affect balance adversely and to increase fall risk [5,[9][10][11].…”

“…Balance maintains body posture and reduces fall risk [5,6] and may be classified as static or dynamic. Balance control requires the complex integration of cognitive, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems [7,8], and age-related changes in these systems are known to affect balance adversely and to increase fall risk [5,[9][10][11]. In 2018, Barela et al investigated the sensitivity of passive motion in the ankle joint and the light touch and the relationship between the muscle strength and fall risk in the elderly.…”