Medo de quedas e atividades avançadas de vida diária em idosos

Abstract

Objective: The present study described the performance of the elderly in Advanced Activities of Daily Living (AADL) and the association of maintenance of these activities with social and clinical characteristics. In addition, investigated the association between the fear of falling and the AADL in these elderly people. METHODS: The study included 645 customers from a health provider, with 65 years or older, of both sexes, interviewed by Study FIBRA-RJ. To evaluate the fear of falling used the Falls Efficacy Scale - Brazil - FES-I-BR (cut of 23 points). The AADL were evaluated from the inventory data built on the literature, being considered with better functionality for AADL ones who had 7 or more activities, among the total of 12. Pearson's chi-square test was performed to verify the association between sociodemographic and Clinical variables with AADL and fear falls. Poisson regression was used to examine the association of FES-I-BR with AADL, adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical variables. Results: The frequency of the worst functionality is high and this frequency is associated with all sociodemographic and clinical variables, with the exception of the Fried Fragility Index. The prevalence of fear of falls was 5% lower for individuals with worse functionality for AADL, compared to the group with better functionality. The significant association between fear of falling and AADL was independent of the level of frailty, age, sex, history of falls, self-rated health, depression, medication, and comorbidities. Conclusions: The results indicate that individuals with worse functionality for AADL felt less fear of falling compared to those with better functionality for AADL. It is possible to think that this is due to a smaller exposure to the danger of leaving home, becoming an adaptive mechanism.