Identification of Risk Factors for Falls in the Elderly

Abstract

Abstract: Several technological apparatus and functional clinical trials are developed for the evaluation of the fall in the elderly. However, it is noted that these in their vast majority, evaluate the population generally, disregarding gender or age. In the research, the sample was stratified into: FG (Female Group); MG (Male Group); aged 60 to 69 years old (FG1 and MG1); aged 70 years old (FG2 and MG2). During the evaluation of the sample in each group, it was verified the amount of the falls, Med (medication/day), BMI (body mass index), CC (the circumference of the calf ), CW (circumference of the waist), HGS (hand grip strength), gait (Dynamic Gait index—DGI), balance (Berg Balance Scale—BBS), mobility (test stand and walk timed—TUG), cognitive state (mini-mental state examination—MMSE), life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale—SLS), physical self-efficacy (Physical Evaluation Scale—PES), FC (functional capacity) and fear of falling (International Scale Effectiveness of falls—FES-I-Brazil). In results, the falls, in each group, were: (1) FG: 53%; (2) MG: 14%; (3) FG1: 39%; (4) FG2: 62%; (5) MG1: 6%; (6) MG2: 27%. The Spearman’s test (p < 0.05) established a correlation between falls, risk factors and clinical tests. In each group, were significant the following risk factors: (1) on FG: Med, CW, HGS, DGI, FES-I-Brazil, TUG, SLS, FC; (2) In FG2: DGI; (3) In MG: TUG; (4) In MG2: FES-I-Brazil (p < 0.00). The identification of clinical tests and risk factors of falling in elderly, distinguished by gender and age, clearly demonstrate that the assessment protocols shall be prepared differently. Thus, it was possible to establish new strategies to contribute to reducing the incidence of falls