Patrícia Azevedo Garcia

Estudo da relação entre função muscular, mobilidade funcional e nível de atividade física em idosos comunitários

OBJECTIVES to evaluate the relationship between lower extremity muscle function, calf circumference (CC), handgrip strength (HG), functional mobility and level of physical activity among age groups (65-69, 70-79, 80+) of older adults (men and women) and to identify the best parameter for screening muscle function loss in the elderly. METHODS 81 community-dwelling elderly (42 women and 39 men) participated. Walking speed (Multisprint Kit), HG (Jamar dynamometer), hip, knee and ankle muscle function (Biodex isokinetic dynamometer), level of physical activity (Human Activity Profile) and CC (tape measure) were evaluated. ANOVA, Pearson correlation and ROC curves were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Dominant CC (34.9±3 vs 37.7±3.6), habitual (1.1±0.2 vs 1.2±0.2) and fast (1.4±0.3 vs 1.7±0.3) walking speed, HG (23.8±7.5 vs 31.8±10.3), average peak torque and average hip, knee and ankle power (p<0.05) were lower for the 80+ group than for the 65-69 year-olds. There were no differences in physical activity level among age groups. Moderate significant correlations were found between muscle function parameters, walking speed and HG; a fair degree of relationship was found between muscle function parameters, CC and level of physical activity (p<0.05). The ROC curve analysis suggested a cutoff point of 14.51 Kgf for screening muscle function loss in elderly women (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated an association between muscle function, HG and fast walking speed, a decrease in these parameters with age and the possibility of using HG to screen for muscle function of the lower extremities.

Prospective monitoring and self-report of previous falls among older women at high risk of falls and fractures: a study of comparison and agreement

Background: The identification of the occurrence of falls is an important step for screening and for rehabilitation processes for the elderly. The methods of monitoring these events are susceptible to recording biases, and the choice of the most accurate method remains challenging. Objectives: (i) To investigate the agreement between retrospective self-reporting and prospective monitoring of methods of recording falls, and (ii) to compare the retrospective self-reporting of falls and the prospective monitoring of falls and recurrent falls over a 12-month period among older women at high risk of falls and fractures. Method: A total of 118 community-dwelling older women with low bone density were recruited. The incidence of falls was monitored prospectively in 116 older women (2 losses) via monthly phone calls over the course of a year. At the end of this monitoring period, the older women were asked about their recall of falls in the same 12-month period. The agreement between the two methods was analyzed, and the sensitivity and specificity of self-reported previous falls in relation to the prospective monitoring were calculated. Results: There was moderate agreement between the prospective monitoring and the retrospective self-reporting of falls in classifying fallers (Kappa=0.595) and recurrent fallers (Kappa=0.589). The limits of agreement were 0.35±1.66 falls. The self-reporting of prior falls had a 67.2% sensitivity and a 94.2% specificity in classifying fallers among older women and a 50% sensitivity and a 98.9% specificity in classifying recurrent fallers. Conclusion: Self-reporting of falls over a 12-month period underestimated 32.8% of falls and 50% of recurrent falls. The findings recommend caution if one is considering replacing monthly monitoring with annual retrospective questioning.

Relationship between anxiety and overactive bladder syndrome in older women

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between overactive bladder syndrome and anxiety in older women. METHODS Of the 198 older women who were invited, 29 were excluded and 166 were then divided into two groups according to the Advanced Questionnaire of Overactive Bladder (OAB-V8): one group with overactive bladder symptoms (OAB-V8≥8) and the other without the symptoms of an overactive bladder (OAB-V8<8). The purpose was to conduct a frequency analysis and to investigate the relation of the social demographic data and anxiety in the two groups. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was used to evaluate the level of anxiety. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine the distribution of the data. The differences between the two groups for the continuous variables were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney U test, the differences for the categorical variables were analyzed by the Chi-Square test and the association between the continuous variables was analyzed by the Spearman Correlation test. The tests were two-tailed with a confidence level of 5%. RESULTS Overall, the frequency of an overactive bladder was present in 117 (70.5%) of the participants. The body mass index (BMI) of the group with overactive bladder symptoms was significantly higher than the BMI of those without these symptoms (p=0.001). A higher prevalence of mild, moderate and severe anxiety was observed among older women with overactive bladder symptoms. In addition, the overactive bladder symptoms group presented a positive low correlation with anxiety symptoms (r=0.345) and with BMI (r=0.281). There was a small correlation between BMI and anxiety symptoms (r=0.164). CONCLUSIONS Overactive bladder syndrome was prevalent among older women and the existence of these symptoms was linked to the presence of mild, moderate and/or severe anxiety symptoms.

Association Between Overactive Bladder Syndrome and Depression Among Older Women

Objective: To evaluate the association between overactive bladder syndrome (OBS) and depression among older women. Methods: One hundred sixty-nine older women answered 2 questionnaires: the Overactive Bladder (OAB-V8) and the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: One hundred twenty-nine participants (76.3%) had symptoms of OBS (OAB-V8 ≥ 8 points). Among those with OBS, 42.6% exhibited mild or severe depression. A significant correlation was found between OBS and depression (r = 0.354; P = .001). Conclusions: A high prevalence rate of OBS was found in older women and a large portion of these women exhibited symptoms of mild and severe depression.

Concordância de diferentes critérios de sarcopenia em idosas comunitárias

The frequency and concordance between different sarcopenia criteria was assessed in community women of age. This is a cross-sectional study with 64 women of age, in which muscle mass was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and skeletal muscle index calculation, muscle strength was determined with a handgrip strength dynamometer, functional capacity was determined with the tests Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Sit to Stand test (STS). This older population was classified in sarcopenic, pre-sarcopenic, moderate sarcopenic and severe sarcopenic by using different sarcopenia criteria. The data were analyzed with use of Chi-square test and Kappa statistics. The results obtained demonstrated that 37.5% of the women suffered of low muscle mass, 34.4% of muscle weakness, 3.1% of functional impairment to stand and walk and 25.9% to sit and raise from the chair. Considering only muscle mass, 37.5% of the sample was classified as sarcopenic (moderate or severe) and, considering the criteria of the European Working Groups on Sarcopenia in Older People, 15.6% obtained this classification when assessing functional capacity with TUG and 22.4% with STS. Concordance between sarcopenia definitions ranged from moderate to excellent (p<0.001). Among women with muscle mass integrity (n=40), 30% showed low handgrip strength, 2.5% showed impairment in TUG and 25.7% in STS. It was concluded that the women presented high frequency of sarcopenia, regardless of the criteria used. Moderate to excellent concordance was observed between the sarcopenia criteria investigated. Identification of older people with muscle mass integrity coexisting with muscle weakness and functional impairment reinforces the importance of the evaluation of the three parameters in the clinical scientific setting.Study performed in the Laboratory for Functional Human Performance at Universidade de Brasília – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 1Physical Therapist by Universidade de Brasília (UnB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 2Physical Therapy Committee of Universidade de Brasilia (UnB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 3Post-Graduate program in Gerontology of Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 4Post-Graduate program in Rehabilitation Sciences of Universidade de Brasilia (UnB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil.

Concordancia de distintos criterios de sarcopenia en ancianas comunitarias

The frequency and concordance between different sarcopenia criteria was assessed in community women of age. This is a cross-sectional study with 64 women of age, in which muscle mass was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and skeletal muscle index calculation, muscle strength was determined with a handgrip strength dynamometer, functional capacity was determined with the tests Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Sit to Stand test (STS). This older population was classified in sarcopenic, pre-sarcopenic, moderate sarcopenic and severe sarcopenic by using different sarcopenia criteria. The data were analyzed with use of Chi-square test and Kappa statistics. The results obtained demonstrated that 37.5% of the women suffered of low muscle mass, 34.4% of muscle weakness, 3.1% of functional impairment to stand and walk and 25.9% to sit and raise from the chair. Considering only muscle mass, 37.5% of the sample was classified as sarcopenic (moderate or severe) and, considering the criteria of the European Working Groups on Sarcopenia in Older People, 15.6% obtained this classification when assessing functional capacity with TUG and 22.4% with STS. Concordance between sarcopenia definitions ranged from moderate to excellent (p<0.001). Among women with muscle mass integrity (n=40), 30% showed low handgrip strength, 2.5% showed impairment in TUG and 25.7% in STS. It was concluded that the women presented high frequency of sarcopenia, regardless of the criteria used. Moderate to excellent concordance was observed between the sarcopenia criteria investigated. Identification of older people with muscle mass integrity coexisting with muscle weakness and functional impairment reinforces the importance of the evaluation of the three parameters in the clinical scientific setting.Study performed in the Laboratory for Functional Human Performance at Universidade de Brasília – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 1Physical Therapist by Universidade de Brasília (UnB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 2Physical Therapy Committee of Universidade de Brasilia (UnB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 3Post-Graduate program in Gerontology of Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 4Post-Graduate program in Rehabilitation Sciences of Universidade de Brasilia (UnB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil.

Concordance of different criteria for sarcopenia in community women of age

The frequency and concordance between different sarcopenia criteria was assessed in community women of age. This is a cross-sectional study with 64 women of age, in which muscle mass was determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and skeletal muscle index calculation, muscle strength was determined with a handgrip strength dynamometer, functional capacity was determined with the tests Timed Up and Go (TUG) and Sit to Stand test (STS). This older population was classified in sarcopenic, pre-sarcopenic, moderate sarcopenic and severe sarcopenic by using different sarcopenia criteria. The data were analyzed with use of Chi-square test and Kappa statistics. The results obtained demonstrated that 37.5% of the women suffered of low muscle mass, 34.4% of muscle weakness, 3.1% of functional impairment to stand and walk and 25.9% to sit and raise from the chair. Considering only muscle mass, 37.5% of the sample was classified as sarcopenic (moderate or severe) and, considering the criteria of the European Working Groups on Sarcopenia in Older People, 15.6% obtained this classification when assessing functional capacity with TUG and 22.4% with STS. Concordance between sarcopenia definitions ranged from moderate to excellent (p<0.001). Among women with muscle mass integrity (n=40), 30% showed low handgrip strength, 2.5% showed impairment in TUG and 25.7% in STS. It was concluded that the women presented high frequency of sarcopenia, regardless of the criteria used. Moderate to excellent concordance was observed between the sarcopenia criteria investigated. Identification of older people with muscle mass integrity coexisting with muscle weakness and functional impairment reinforces the importance of the evaluation of the three parameters in the clinical scientific setting.Study performed in the Laboratory for Functional Human Performance at Universidade de Brasília – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 1Physical Therapist by Universidade de Brasília (UnB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 2Physical Therapy Committee of Universidade de Brasilia (UnB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 3Post-Graduate program in Gerontology of Universidade Católica de Brasília (UCB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil. 4Post-Graduate program in Rehabilitation Sciences of Universidade de Brasilia (UnB) – Brasília (DF), Brazil.

Old Women Body Balance: Does the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Matter?

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition in older women. We have observed that patients with advanced POP complain of body imbalance. The purpose of this study was to investigate impact of advanced POP on older womens body balance. Thirty-eight consecutive women were selected. Body balance was assessed by stabilometric measures (SM) and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Groups, nonadvanced versus advanced POP, were statistically similar on the BBS and all SM, but median center of pressure displacement speed (COPd-speed) was P = .04. A univariate analysis did not confirm any association between advanced POP and increased COPd-speed. Advanced POP may have no impact on older womens body balance.

Identification of Clinical and Functional Falls Risk Factors Among Low Bone Density Older Women: A Longitudinal Study

Objectives: To determine associated risk factors for falls in low bone mineral density older women. Methods: A longitudinal study involving 116 individuals. Falls history, mobility and balance, multidimensional risk, self-efficacy for falls, frailty, and muscle performance were investigated. The occurrence of falls was monitored monthly for 1 year. Results: Sixty-four (55.2%) older women reported falls. The hamstring muscle strength was associated with falls (odds ratio = 0.974) and with recurrent falls (odds ratio = 0.966). The falls history was associated with recurrent falls (odds ratio = 1.336). Conclusions: The low bone mineral density older women showed high frequency of falls. Hamstring muscle strength and falls history characterized predictors of falls.

Multifactorial assessment of the risk of falls in low bone density older women

Introduction: Identifying effective assessment instruments for predicting falls, specifically in older women with low bone mineral density (BMD) that are more susceptible to fractures remains a challenge. Objective: To evaluate risk factors for falls at baseline, to identify the falls occurrence over six months of follow-up and to investigate the predictive validity of the Quickscreen Clinical Falls Risk Assessment for predicting multiple falls among low BMD older women. Methods: A methodological study with 110 older women with diagnosis of osteoporosis or osteopenia (70.26 ± 6.24 years). The presence of two or more of the eight risk factors assessed by the QuickScreen characterized the risk of falling (baseline) and monthly phone calls identified the occurrence of falls during the six months of follow-up. Results: The most prevalent falls risk factors were self-reported previous falls, polypharmacy and impairment in shifting weight and lateral instability. Most of the older women (67.3%) had two or more risk factors, 24.5% reported a single fall and 13.6% reported multiple falls over the six months. The QuickScreen (cutoff ≥ 2 risk factors) showed good sensitivity (73.3%) and high negative predictive value (88.89%) for predicting multiple falls among low BMD older women. Conclusions: The results indicated a high frequency of falls among low BMD older women. Additionally, the results highlighted that the QuickScreen instrument was able to predict multiple falls in the six months of follow-up among these older women.