Rafaela Pedrosa

Análise da Função Cognitiva e Capacidade Funcional em Idosos Hipertensos

The change in blood pressure in the elderly has been studied as a risk factor for deficits in cognition and functional capacity. OBJECTIVES: to investigate the cognitive function and functional capacity and their correlation in elderly hypertensive (HG) and normentensive (NG). METHODS: observational, analytical and crosssectional study with 56 elderly divided into two groups HG (n=42) and NG (n=14) assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and Functional Fitness Test. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: data were evaluated using the t Student test, the chi-square and Pearsons correlation test by SPSS 17.0, assigning a significance level of 5% for all tests. RESULTS: there was a negative correlation, but low between the groups HG and NG on the cognitive deficit (r= -0,23; p=0,08), strength of lower limbs (r= 0,24; p=0,08) and endurance aerobic - 2MST (r=0,31; p=0,02). Testing the flexibility of upper and lower limbs there were moderately negative correlation between HG and NG groups (r=0.62; p <0.001 and r=0.39, p=0.003), and positive for agility and balance - TUG (r=0.38 and p=0.004). We found a significant difference to the level of physical activity of HG and NG with p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that hypertension directly affects the elderly in that it predisposes to cognitive decline, and limits the ability of individuals to perform their basic activities independently, reducing the functional mobility, mainly when associated with other comorbidities and unhealthy life style.

Força muscular respiratória e capacidade funcional em idosas hipertensas com sonolência diurna excessiva

The purpose of the study was to inquire whether excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) affects functional capacity (FC) and respiratory muscle strength in elderly hypertensive patients. Thirty-two elderly hypertensive female patients were divided into two groups (with EDS, n=17, mean age 64.9±5.3; without EDS, n=15, mean age 65.9±5.5) and were assessed as to respiratory muscle strength by spirometry; FC, by the Questionnaire on limitations in physical activities and by functional fitness tests; physical activity level, by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire; degree of EDS, by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale; sleep quality, by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; and intensity of snoring by the Stanford Snoring Scale. Both groups were homogenous as to anthropometric and hypertension features and were statistically compared as to sleep parameters, maximal respiratory pressures, level of physical activity, and FC. Significant differences were found in sleep quality (p=0.03), showing very poor sleep quality of the group hypertension with EDS; but no significant differences were found as to maximal respiratory pressures, or at the FC tests. Hence the strength of respiratory muscles is not altered due to the presence of EDS in elderly hypertensive women and sleepiness does not seem to interfere in functional capacity.