Variáveis clínicas preditoras da mobilidade funcional em idosas com dor lombar aguda: dados longitudinais do estudo back complaints in the elders (bace) brasil

Abstract

Developing countries has shown an increase in the elderly population and low back pain(LBP) is one of musculoskeletal symptoms frequently reported. Literature indicates a relationof pain, functional capacity and mobility in older adults, so the evaluation of functionalmobility is essential in the elderly. The aim of this study was to verify if clinical variables(muscle strength, spinal range of motion, pain and nervous impairment) are predictive offunctional mobility in a period of 12 months, in elderly with acute LBP. This is a prospectivelongitudinal study, conducted with a subsample of the epidemiological, longitudinal,observational study "Back Complaints in the Elders - (BACE). Functional mobility wasevaluated at baseline and after 12 months by Timed Up and Go Test (TUG); muscle strengthwas measured by Hand Grip Strength; spine range of motion by Fingertip-to-floor Test,lateral flexion and trunk rotation; severity of LBP in the past week was measured by theNumeric Pain Rating Scale, and nervous impairment was evaluated by Lasègue Test. For dataanalysis, multiple linear regression was performed. The study included 155 elderly women(70.78 ± 5.3 years). TUG, at baseline was 11.64 ± 3.46 seconds, and after 12 months was11.09 ± 3.44 seconds. The Hand Grip Strength was 21.06 ± 5.21 kgf, the anterior flexion ofthe trunk was 16.47 ± 12.51 cm and there was no difference between the sides in lateralflexion, but there was in the trunk rotation. The severity of pain was moderate (6.66 ± 2.88),the Lasègue test was negative in most elderly. Clinical variables that were predictive offunctional mobility (TUG) in elderly at 12 months of follow-up were: age, range of motion ofthe anterior trunk flexion and the severity of the LBP. Thus, there was longitudinalassociation of clinical variables and functional mobility in elderly with acute LBP. Thesevariables may be important in the evaluation and treatment of LBP in elderly because they arepredictors of functional mobility at 12 months.