Ocorrência de quedas em idosos longevos residentes nos municípios de Brejo dos Santos – PB e de São Paulo – SP

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the occurrence of falls and their association with socio-demographic status, health status, environmental aspects, functional capacity and nutritional status in long-lived elderly living in Brejo dos Santos-PB and São Paulo-SP. METHODOLOGY: Cross sectional study with primary data collection. Elderly aged 80 years and over, of both sexes, living in Brejo dos Santos - PB and São Paulo - SP were included. The dependent variable was fall occurrence in the last year and the independent variables were grouped into sociodemographic aspects, health status, environmental aspects, functional capacity and nutritional status. To identify variables associated with the occurrence of falls, the multiple logistic regression model was used with the aid of the R statistical software, adopting a significance level of 5% (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: The sample consisted of 415 elderly. Of the total elderly, 32.3% reported having fallen in the last year, being 24.7% in Brejo dos Santos and 37.8% in São Paulo. In the final regression model, poor self-rated vision (OR = 3.28; 95% CI: 1.06-10.12), decreased gait speed (p = 0.026), and moderate balance (OR = 5.28; 95% CI). %: 1,11-25,18) were associated with the occurrence of falls among the elderly in Brejo dos Santos. Among the elderly in São Paulo, in each turn, the associated factors were self assessment of regular sleep quality (OR = 0.28; 95% CI: 0.11-0.67), relying on furniture or walls to walking at home (OR = 3.24; 95% CI: 1.39-7.57), decreased gait speed (p = 0.039) and very poor functional performance (OR = 16.09, 95% CI: 1.46- 177.06). CONCLUSION: The results show differences in factors associated with the occurrence of falls among the elderly belonging to the two municipalities. The occurrence of falls was associated with poor vision self-assessment, decreased gait speed and moderate balance in long-lived elderly in Brejo dos Santos. In São Paulo, the factors associated with the occurrence of falls were regular self-assessment of sleep quality, the fact that the elderly use furniture or walls to move around indoors, decreased gait speed and very poor functional performance.