Uso de instrumentos para rastreio do risco de quedas em idosos comunitários

Abstract

Introduction: In Brazil, the population is aging rapidly, as a result of changes in the country's epidemiological and demographic profile. Considering the adverse events that may occur in the aging process, falls are very frequent. They are determined by multifactorial circumstances, being attributed to intrinsic and extrinsic factors that compromise the stability of the elderly. Several of these factors can be assessed and are subject to intervention, in order to prevent the occurrence of falls. Given the relevance and impact of falls on the health of the elderly, it is of utmost importance to use instruments that identify risk factors for falls, especially in the preventive scope. Objective: Debate through a narrative review the use of instruments to screen the risk of falls in community-dwelling elderly. Methodology: Searches for papers of interest were carried out in the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System online databases (Medline via Pubmed) and Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (Lilacs). Results: Six articles were included in this review. Of the 6 selected articles, different measurement instruments were used, in which Activity- Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC Scale), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I), Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) and Multiple-Lunge Test showed significant effects in the assessment in order to predict the occurrence of falls in the elderly in the community. Conclusion: In short, three scales were identified that allow the assessment of the risk of falling and three tests that allow an evaluation in order to predict the occurrence of falls. However, the choice of a fall risk assessment instrument should be based on current evidence, the clinical circumstances of the people and organizational factors.