Indicadores antropométricos, composición corporal y limitaciones funcionales en ancianos

Test-retest reliability of Latin American Group for Maturity (GDLAM) protocol in older women

Functional autonomy (FA) is a critical factor in determining the quality of life of older adults (OA), especially in the case of older women (OW), as they face a decline in FA in their later years of life. FA should be assessed early, using valid, reliable, and low-cost tests. This study evaluated the test-retest reliability of GDLAM and GDLAM autonomy index (GI) in OW. Thirty-nine OW (71.2 ± 6.50 years) participated in the study. A repeated measures design was used to compare the interday test-retest reliability of the five GDLAM tests (seconds) and the GI (points). The five tests represent activities of daily living, such as dressing or wandering around the house, while the GI provides a weighting of the results of the five tests. The analysis consisted of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and coefficient of variation (CV). A CV ≤ 10% and an ICC ≥ 0.80 were considered acceptable reliability, whereas a CV ≤ 5% and an ICC ≥ 0.90 were considered high reliability. The outcome of the five tests, represented by the GI, showed high interday test-retest reliability (CV = 6.00% and ICC = 0.91). The results of this study demonstrate that the five tests of the GDLAM protocol and the GI have high interday test-retest reliability and good interday reproducibility. From a practical point of view, the GDLAM protocol allows the assessment of FA of community-dwelling OW, providing background for early diagnosis and, with it, the possibility of developing an individualized physical exercise prescription.

Indicators and Instruments to Assess Components of Disability in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review

The epidemiological demands of aging point to the need for characterizing older adults regarding health and disability. This systematic review aims to summarize the indicators (instruments) identifying different components of disability as a result of aging exposition in community-dwelling older adults, considering the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health framework. Taking the PRISMA 2020 recommendations as a reference, studies with community-dwelling older adults, reporting the development and/or age disability modifications were included. Two reviewers analyzed the observational studies searched in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases. Of the 137 potentially eligible studies, 49 were included in this review. Several indicators (instruments) demonstrated older adults' disabilities according to the different domains of the ICF. Objective measures assessed Body Structures, Body Functions, and Environmental Factors and included handgrip strength (dynamometry, n = 8), cognitive function (Mini-Mental State examination, n = 7), gait speed (walk test, n = 6), and endurance (Chair stand-test, n = 4). Self-reported measures assessed Activities and Participation, but not the Body Structures, and included the basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) (the Katz Index of ADL, n = 4 studies, the Lawton and Brody Instrumental ADL, n = 4 studies). The summary of the measures gathered can guide researchers and health professionals to select indicators (instruments) to assess and monitor older adults' disabilities resulting from aging exposition, to support the development of new wearables, and to provide improvements to the existing ones, allowing the tailored assessment of different health and disability dimensions.

Forecasting Healthy Life Expectancy Among Chilean Community-Dwelling Older Adults With and Without Sarcopenia

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is an important risk factor for disability and dependency at old age. The prevalence of sarcopenia among the Chilean older population is high.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate life expectancy, healthy life expectancy and unhealthy life expectancy among sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic older adults from Santiago, Chile.

METHODS

A sample of 1,897 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 years or more, living in Santiago, was observed between 5-15 years. Disability was defined as the unhealthy state, assessed through self-reported difficulties in activities of daily living. Sarcopenia was determined via HTSMayor software. Total and marginal life expectancies were estimated using the Interpolated Markov Chain method "IMaCh".

RESULTS

At 60 years, estimated life expectancy for sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic older adults was similar (22.7 and 22.5 years, respectively). The proportion of years to be lived with disability was three times greater in sarcopenic adults, compared to non-sarcopenic people. This difference was observed up to 80 years. Non-sarcopenic women had a higher proportion of years to be lived with disabilities compared to non-sarcopenic men of the same age, but this proportion was higher among sarcopenic men, compared to sarcopenic women until 70 years of age.

DISCUSSION

People with sarcopenia expect to live a higher proportion of years with disabilities. Sarcopenic men until 70 years expected to live a higher proportion of years with disability, compared to sarcopenic women. Monitoring sarcopenia among older people may help to identify individuals with higher risk of disability onset. Future research should focus on disentangling the mechanisms explaining sex differences.

Health-Related Functional Fitness within the Elderly Communities of Five European Countries: The in Common Sports Study

(1) Background: The purpose of this study was to analyse the functional fitness and the anthropometric values of older adults participating in the “IN COMMON SPORTS” project. (2) Methods: A total of 418 participants (eastern European Group (GEE, n = 124) and southern European Groups (GES, n = 294) have been evaluated for anthropometric characteristics and fitness. (3) Results: The GES participants presented significant differences in anthropometric values and fitness, with the best values for upper and lower limb strength and aerobic resistance, while those from the GEE presented significantly better values for lower limb flexibility. (4) Conclusion: Older adults present differences in fitness in accordance with their country of residence, with the GES having the best functional fitness.

The contribution of social participation to differences in life expectancy and healthy years among the older population: A comparison between Chile, Costa Rica and Spain

We study the health trajectories of the population aged over 60, comparing between one European and two Latin American countries (Spain, Chile and Costa Rica) which have similar longevity patterns. Our focus is on functional limitation and mortality risks, considering differences by gender, education and social participation. Data come from national panel surveys (EPS, CRELES, SHARE). Multistate modelling is used to estimate transition probabilities between two health states: healthy to unhealthy, unhealthy to healthy as well as the transition to death from healthy or unhealthy states, to estimate the duration of stay in a specific state (computing healthy and unhealthy life expectancies) and the effect of the selected covariates. Results show that older Costa Ricans have the smallest gender gap in life expectancy but women have a lower healthy life expectancy compared to those in Chile and Spain. Participation in social activities leads to higher healthy life expectancy among the elderly in Costa Rica and Spain, whilst there were no relevant educational differences observed in longevity in the analysed countries. To conclude: despite the different patterns observed in health transitions and survival across the three countries, social participation is associated with greater health and longevity among people of old age, with little effect coming from educational attainment. Public policies should therefore be aimed at reducing unhealthy life years and dependency at advanced ages by promoting more engagement in social activities, especially among vulnerable groups who are more likely to experience impairment from a younger age.

Functional autonomy and sarcopenia markers in women over 55 years of age

Introduction: Some parameters used to diagnose sarcopenia and functional autonomy disorders can lead to interpretation and classification errors. Objective: To analyze sarcopenia markers and their relationship with the strength and gait of physically active older women aged between 55 and 76 years. Materials and Methods: Analytical observational study conducted in 178 physically active Colombian women who were distributed in two age groups (group 1: 55-66 years, n=98, and group 2: 67-76 years, n=80). A multiple linear regression model was used to establish possible correlations between strength and gait indicators (dependent variables) and body composition (independent variables). Results: Fat mass and appendicular mass (appendicular lean/height2(kg/m2)) explained power variance in the lower limbs in group 1 (G1) (SJ: p=0.001, R2=0.56; CMJ: p=0.001, R2=0.51; CMJAS: R2=0.60, p=0.001). Similar results were observed in group 2 (G2) (SJ: R2=0.32, DW1=2.14; CMJ: R2=0.51, DW2=2.38; CMJAS: R2=0.41, DW3=2.56). Furthermore, fat mass explained variance in gait pattern in G1 and G2 differently (G1: p=-0.006; R2=20%; G2: p=-0.001; R2=29%). Conclusion: Recording fat and appendicular mass allow studying negative changes in lower limb strength and their effect on gait pattern, as well as identifying the type of sarcopenia and functional autonomy disorders in physically active Colombian women aged 55 to 76 years.

Perfil de força de preensão manual em pacientes idosos com câncer de próstata

Objetivo: analisar o perfil de Força de Preensão Manual em pacientes idosos com câncer de próstata, atendidos em instituição hospitalar filantrópica do Recife.Métodos: estudo transversal com análise de dados secundários, coletados no Ambulatório de Oncogeriatria do Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira, utilizando uma amostra por conveniência com uma amostragem de 72 idosos. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando o programa estatístico STATA 12. O teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov foi aplicado a variáveis numéricas para se determinar a normalidade da amostra. Em caso de não normalidade, foi utilizado o teste de Mann-Whitney. Adotou-se o nível de significância de 0,05%.Resultados: observou-se uma Força de Preensão Manual reduzida nos pacientes com estadiamento de uma doença mais avançada quando comparado a outros estágios mais localizados ou clinicamente melhores (estadiamento I: 27,78 vs. estadiamento IV: 27,20 no braço dominante (p=0, 340)/ estadiamento I: 27,33 vs. estadiamento IV: 24,13 no braço não dominante) sendo esse resultado melhor reproduzido na mão não dominante (p=0,090). Por meio da análise das comorbidades (hipertensão, diabetes, cardiomiopatia e osteoartrite) em relação à mão dominante e não dominante, não foram verificadas diferenças significativas na Força de Preensão Manual na presença ou ausência das comorbidades analisadas tanto na mão dominante quanto da não dominante (p=0,189 vs.p=0,437).Conclusões: o estudo trouxe subsídios relevantes sobre a importância da Força de Preensão Manual como um importante parâmetro geral para força e um indicativo de saúde, principalmente quando analisados em idosos com câncer, onde afeta significativamente sua função física e neuromuscular, incluindo atrofia muscular, diminuição da força muscular e diminuição do desempenho funcional em atividades diárias, comprometendo significativamente a qualidade de vida e seu prognóstico.

Polypharmacy Is Associated with Frailty, Nutritional Risk and Chronic Disease in Chilean Older Adults: Remarks from PIEI-ES Study

AIM

To analyze the relationship between polypharmacy and variables as frailty and other chronic comorbidities in Chilean older adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS

One thousand two hundred and five older adults aged 65 and older.

METHODS

The presence or absence of frailty syndrome was determined according to Fried criteria. Data collection was made through questionnaires conducted by an interview.

RESULTS

The prevalence of polypharmacy was 37.59%. The prevalence of hyperpolypharmacy was 2%. Increased prevalence of frailty was demonstrated regarding the progression of the state of polypharmacy. When analyzing the contribution of frailty respect polypharmacy condition, frail state, nutritional risk and obesity are founded as a factor associated with polypharmacy. Regarding chronic disease, hypertension (OR: 8.039, p<0.0001), type 2 diabetes (OR: 4.001, p<0.0001) and respiratory diseases (OR: 2.930, p<0.0001) were associated to polypharmacy. It was found a strong and significant positive correlation between polypharmacy prevalence and frailty score (polypharmacy condition, Spearman R: 0.89, p=0.033; hyperpolypharmacy condition, Spearman R: 0.94, p=0.016). When analyzing the contribution of the polypharmacy to the presence of frailty, polypharmacy condition (OR: 1.510, p<0.05), cognitive impairment (OR: 3.887, p<0.001), obesity (OR: 1.560, p<0.01) and nutritional risk (OR: 2.590, p<0.001) are associated to frailty.

CONCLUSION

Frailty and chronic conditions as nutritional risk, obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and respiratory disease are an important risk factor for the development of polypharmacy in Chilean older adults. Likewise, polypharmacy condition was observed to be a risk factor for frailty, demonstrating the bidirectional relationship between both conditions. Frailty syndrome evaluation in Chilean older adults could be an important alternative for polypharmacy prevention.

Impacts of Physical Environment Perception on the Frailty Condition in Older People

Frailty increases the vulnerability of older people who commonly develop a syndrome leading to growing dependence and finally often death. Physical environment conditions may affect the severity of the syndrome positive or negatively. The main objective of this study was to analyse the conditions of different urban physical environments and their relationship with the frailty syndrome in older people. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses were performed to detect global and local geographic clustering. Investigating 284 adults with ages from 60 to 74 years old from Talca City, Chile, we found spatial clustering of frailty conditions registered for older people, with hotspots of high and low values associated with areas of different urban infrastructures and socioeconomic levels into the city. The spatial identifications found should facilitate exploring the impact of mental health programmes in communities exposed to disasters like earthquakes, thereby improving their quality of life as well as reducing overall costs. Spatial correlation has a great potential for studying frailty conditions in older people with regard to better understanding the impact of environmental conditions on health.

Software for the Diagnosis of Sarcopenia in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Design and Validation Study

BACKGROUND

The usual diagnosis of sarcopenia requires a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) exam, which has low accessibility in primary care for Latin American countries.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to design and validate software for mobile devices (Android, IOS) and computers, based on an adapted version of the diagnostic algorithm of sarcopenia proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP).

METHODS

Follow-up exams were conducted on 430 community-dwelling Chileans 60 years and older (mean 68.2 years, SD 4.9) participating in the IsaMayor and Alexandros cohorts designed to study sarcopenia and disability associated with obesity, respectively. All the participants from the cohorts were randomly selected from the registries of primary health care centers and, for this study, must have a DXA scan at baseline. The software (HTSMayor) was designed according to an adapted version of the algorithm proposed by the EWGSOP and was divided into four phases: longitudinal validation of diagnostic algorithm of sarcopenia, alpha version, beta version, and release version. The software estimates appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) using an anthropometric equation or DXA measurements with Chilean cut-off points. The predictive validation of the algorithm was estimated, comparing functional limitations (at least one activity of daily living, two instrumental activities of daily living, or three mobility limitations), falls, and osteoporosis at follow-ups in patients with and without sarcopenia at baseline, using adjusted logistic models.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 4.8 years (2078.4 person-years), 37 (9.9%) new cases of sarcopenia, out of the 374 patients without sarcopenia at baseline, were identified (incidence density rate=1.78 per 100 person-years). ASM estimated with the anthropometric equation showed both a high sensitivity and specificity as compared with those estimated by DXA measurements, yielding a concordance of 0.96. The diagnostic algorithm of sarcopenia considered in the software with the equation showed both a high sensitivity (82.1%) and specificity (94.9%) when compared with DXA (reference standard). Adults without sarcopenia (at baseline) showed better physical performance (after approximately 5 years) than adults with sarcopenia. Loss of functionality was greater in adults with sarcopenia (OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.2-11.4) than in adults without sarcopenia. In addition, the risks of falls (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.1-4.3) and osteoporosis (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.2-6.6) were higher in older persons with sarcopenia than those without sarcopenia. The measurements and results were completed for the beta and release tests with a mean time of 10 minutes and 11 minutes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed and validated a software for the diagnosis of sarcopenia in older Chilean adults that can be used on a mobile device or a computer with good sensitivity and specificity, thus allowing for the development of programs for the prevention, delay, or reversal of this disease. To our knowledge, HTSMayor is the first software to diagnose sarcopenia.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/13657.

Gender, nutritional status and disability-free life expectancy among older people in Santiago, Chile

Background

This study was aimed to estimate life expectancy (LE), disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) and disabled life expectancy (DLE) among older adults from Santiago, Chile, and to determine the existence of differences by gender and by body mass index (BMI) categories in these indicators.

Methods

A sample of 1216 people aged 60 or more, from the Chilean cohort of the Study of Health, Ageing and Well-Being was recruited in 2000; two follow-up assessments were carried out in a 10-year period. Functional limitation was assessed through self-report of difficulties in activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living and mobility. BMI was determined with measured weight and height. Multistate life tables were employed to estimate LE and healthy life expectancy (HLE).

Results

At 60 years, women could expect to live on average an additional 20.4 years (95% CI 19.0–21.6), and men an additional 16.4 years (95% CI 14.9–17.7). Total LE was longer among women at all ages, but they had a higher proportion of disabled years to be lived compared to men, with a difference of 14% at 60 years, and 10% at 90 years. There were no significant differences in LE, DFLE and DLE between BMI categories.

Discussion

Despite a longer LE, Chilean older women expect to live a higher proportion of years with disabilities, compared to men. Public health programs should address factors affecting LE of older men, and those associated with disability among older women.

Reference values of hand-grip dynamometry and the relationship between low strength and mortality in older Chileans

Aim

This study was aimed to set reference values of hand-grip strength by age and sex and validate cut points for risk of functional limitation and mortality in older Chileans.

Methods

This was a pooled analysis of four studies including 6,426 people ≥60 years of nondependent community-dwelling Chileans. After exclusion criteria, the final sample included 5,250 subjects, from whom 2,193 were followed to study all-cause mortality associated with low hand-grip strength. Face-to-face interviews registering sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported chronic diseases, and functional limitations were conducted. Anthropometric measurements and observed mobility were performed by trained professionals. Hand-grip strength was measured with a hand dynamometer T-18 (Country Technology, Inc.) before 2008 or with JAMAR brand from 2008 onwards. Percentiles were calculated through descriptive analysis and quantile regression models for specific groups of age and sex. Adjusted Cox regression hazard models for mortality risk according to low dynamometry condition and covariates were developed.

Results

We deliver reference values of hand-grip strength for older Chileans proposing the 25th percentile as the cut-off point for low dynamometry risk: men ≤27 kg, women ≤15 kg. Low hand-grip strength was associated with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living limitations (p=0.001), and altered physical performance evaluated through the Timed Up and Go test (p=0.0001), grasping (p=0.001), bending (p<0.0001), and lifting (p<0.0001). After Cox proportional hazard regression models were assessed with a median follow-up of 9.2 years, the adjusted risk of all-cause mortality associated with a hand-grip strength lower than the 25th percentile in older Chileans showed a hazard ratio of 1.39 (95% confidence interval: 1.13–1.71).

Conclusion

The cut-off points of dynamometry validated for the older Chileans allow the incorporation in the geriatric evaluation in primary health care of an easy-to-use, inexpensive indicator to identify older adults at risk of sarcopenia, frailty, and dismobility. In addition this also helps to optimize the evaluation of intervention strategies focused on the maintenance of functionality.

Frequency of frailty and its association with cognitive status and survival in older Chileans

Background

Age-associated brain physiologic decline and reduced mobility are key elements of increased age-associated vulnerability.

Objective

To study the frequency of frailty phenotype and its association with mental health and survival in older Chileans.

Methods

Follow-up of ALEXANDROS cohorts designed to study disability associated with obesity in community-dwelling people 60 years and older living in Santiago, Chile. At baseline, 2,098 (67% women) of 2,372 participants were identified as having the frailty phenotype: weak handgrip dynamometry, unintentional weight loss, fatigue/exhaustion, five chair-stands/slow walking speed and difficulty walking (low physical activity). After 10–15 years, 1,298 people were evaluated and 373 had died. Information regarding deaths was available for the whole sample.

Results

The prevalence of frailty at baseline (≥3 criteria) in the whole sample was 13.9% (women 16.4%; men 8.7%) and the pre-frailty prevalence (1–2 criteria) was 63.8% (65.0% vs 61.4%), respectively. Frailty was associated with cognitive impairment (frail 48.1%; pre-frail 21.7%; nonfrail 20.5%, P<0.001) and depression (frail 55.1%; pre-frail 27.3%; nonfrail 18.8%, P<0.001). Logistic regression models for frailty adjusted for sex and age showed a strong association between frailty and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (odds ratio [OR] =3.93; 95% CI: 1.41–10.92). Furthermore, an important association was found for depression and frailty (OR =2.36; 95% CI 1.82–3.06). Age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for death showed an increased risk with increasing frailty: pre-frail HR =1.56 (95% CI: 1.07–2.29), frail HR =1.91 (95% CI: 1.15–3.19); after adjustment by age and sex, a higher risk of death was observed for people identified as frail (HR =1.56, P=0.014) and pre-frail (HR =1.30, P=0.065). MCI and dementia were also risk factors for death (MCI: HR =1.69, P<0.027; dementia: HR =1.66, P=0.016).

Conclusion

Frailty is highly prevalent and strongly associated with cognitive impairment and depression in older Chileans. The risk for death was higher for frail people, but underlying cognitive impairment is a key component of the lower survival rate.

Low Leptin Availability as a Risk Factor for Dementia in Chilean Older People

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to study the role of leptin in the development of dementia.

METHODS

Follow-up of the ALEXANDROS cohorts, with baseline measurements in 2000. From 1,136 available subjects free of dementia at baseline, 667 subjects had frozen baseline blood samples for measuring leptin and soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R). The free leptin index (FLI) was calculated as the ratio of leptin to sOB-R. Dementia was defined as an MMSE score <22 and a score >5 in the Pfeffer Activities Questionnaire.

RESULTS

After 15 years of follow-up, 42 incident cases of dementia were identified. No difference in serum leptin was observed between people with and without dementia, but sOB-R was higher in demented than in nondemented subjects (sOB-R: 44.94 ± 23.97 vs. 33.73 ± 21.13 ng/ml). The adjusted risk for dementia increased, the higher the log sOB (hazard ratio = 3.58; 95% CI 1.72-7.45, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Lower availability of free leptin was found in demented than in nondemented people, suggesting a role of leptin in cognition.

Physical performance and muscle strength in older patients with and without diabetes from a public hospital in Lima, Peru

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between physical performance (PP) and muscle strength (MS) in elderly subjects with and without diabetes in a public hospital of Lima, Peru.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD

A cross-sectional analysis of subjects aged 60 years or older with and without diabetes. MS was measured with a handheld dynamometer, and PP with the «timed get-up-and-go» test. Nutritional status was determined using body mass index, body fat percentage measured with a handheld fat loss monitor and protein intake based on the 24-hour recall. Age, sex, and history of hospitalization and supplementation were also recorded. The association was assessed using adjusted prevalence ratios.

RESULTS

Overall, 139 patients with diabetes (26.6% with low PP and 13.7% with decreased MS) and 382 subjects without diabetes (36.6% with low PP and 23.0% with decreased MS) were evaluated. No association was found between T2DM and MS (aPR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.67-1.57) or PP (aPR: 1.13; 95% CI: 0.84-1.52). Protein and supplement consumption was also unrelated (P>.05); however, history of hospitalization, age, sex, nutritional status, and body fat percentage were related (P>.05).

CONCLUSIONS

No association was found between T2DM, MS, and PP. However, low PP was associated to female sex and overweight/obesity, and decreased MS was associated to high body fat percentage and underweight. Moreover, MS and PP were related to older age and history of hospitalization.

[Adductor pollicis muscle and hand grip strength: potential methods of nutritional assessment in outpatients with stroke]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of different methods used for nutritional assessment of outpatients who had hemiplegic stroke.

METHODS

A cross-section study with adult and elderly patients of both genders enrolled in a rehabilitation center. The analyzed variables were anthropometric measurements, bioelectrical impedance, hand grip strength and thickness of the adductor pollicis muscle. The Pearson χ2 test was used to check the association between variables with a significance level of α = 5%.

RESULTS

When evaluating the association between indicators of muscle mass, it was observed that the hand grip strength in both genders was positively correlated with arm muscle circumference (p = 0.0196) and lean mass (p = 0.0002). Fat mass measured by the bioelectrical impedance method already showed a significant inverse relationship with the grip (r = -0.3879). The thickness of the adductor pollicis muscle showed significant association with lean mass (p = 0.0052) and hand grip (p = 0.0024).

CONCLUSION

In this study, the hand grip strength and thickness of the adductor pollicis muscle were well correlated with measurements determined by anthropometry and bioimpedance. The results show the applicability of grip strength and thickness of the adductor pollicis muscle in clinical practice as nutritional assessment methods for this population, especially elderly patients, since they detect functional changes not captured by other parameters in the short term and are important for early identification of risk nutrition.

Perfil antropométrico dos idosos residentes em Campina Grande-PB

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever o perfil antropométrico dos idosos residentes em Campina Grande - PB. Este estudo é populacional, transversal e domiciliar. Os dados são apresentados sob a forma de média, desvio-padrão e percentil (P5, P10, P25, P50, P75, P90 e P95) do peso, estatura, índice de massa corporal (IMC), perímetro do braço (PB), dobra cutânea tricipital (DCT), circunferência muscular do braço (CMB), perímetro da panturrilha (PP) e perímetro da cintura (PC). Foi realizado o teste t Student para verificar a diferença dos valores médios das variáveis entre os sexos. Foi realizada a análise de variância (ANOVA) para verificar o efeito da idade nas variáveis. Foram avaliados 806 idosos (60 anos ou mais). Os valores médios de todas as variáveis apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os sexos. As médias das variáveis peso, estatura, CMB, PP e PC foram significativamente maiores entre os homens, enquanto que as médias de IMC, PB e DCT foram significativamente maiores entre as mulheres. Todas as variáveis apresentaram tendência de declínio entre os grupos etários mais avançados. Os resultados mostram que o padrão antropométrico dos idosos deste estudo segue a tendência de outros estudos, no entanto, os valores diferem. Dessa forma, sugere-se que estes possam ser usados para auxiliar na avaliação antropométrica de idosos.

Fatores associados às alterações na velocidade de marcha e força de preensão manual em idosos institucionalizados

OBJETIVO: Este trabalho teve como propósito avaliar os fatores associados às alterações na velocidade de marcha e força de preensão manual em idosos institucionalizados da cidade de Natal-RN. METODOLOGIA: Trata-se de estudo transversal, realizado com uma amostra de 20 idosos (11 mulheres e 9 homens), selecionados de forma não aleatória por conveniência. Os dados foram obtidos através de questionário e mensurações da força de preensão manual e velocidade de marcha, que constituíram os testes físicos. RESULTADOS: Foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p<0,05) entre os sexos quanto ao tempo de institucionalização, sensação de fadiga autorrelatada, força de preensão e nível cognitivo. Também foram verificadas correlações entre a força de preensão manual com o tempo de asilo (r= -0,54), função cognitiva (MEEM) (r= 0,62), altura (r= 0,79) e massa corporal (r= 0,82); para a velocidade de marcha, houve correlação significativa com o MEEM (r= 0,45) e independência nas atividades instrumentais da vida diária (AIVDs) (r= 0,47). CONCLUSÃO: Alterações na força de preensão e velocidade de marcha são comuns entre os idosos institucionalizados, mais susceptíveis à síndrome da fragilidade e, portanto, a perdas funcionais e cognitivas, que favorecem a progressão de suas limitações. Desta forma, a investigação das condições de saúde desses indivíduos pode ser útil para detectar um perfil de fragilidade e identificar que tipo de cuidados e intervenções seriam prioritários para melhorar a funcionalidade e qualidade de vida destes idosos.

Composição corporal de idosos segundo a antropometria

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever o perfil antropométrico e a composição corporal de idosos por meio da antropometria, analisando a aplicabilidade das equações de predição de Petroski (1995) e de Durnin & Womersley (1974).Métodos: Foram avaliados 37 idosos de ambos os gêneros. As medições antropométricas foram realizadas segundo as diretrizes daInternational Society for the Advancement of Kineanthropometry, e determinaram as variáveis massa corporal, estatura, oito dobras cutâneas e sete perímetros musculares. Calcularam-se índice de massa corporal (IMC), relação cintura-quadril (RCQ), somatório de cinco dobras cutâneas e densidade corporal pelas equações de predição para idosos de Petroski (1995) e de Durnin & Womersley (1974) com conversão ao percentual de gordura (%G) pela equação de Siri (1961). Para posterior discussão, aplicou-se o teste t Student (p<0,05).Resultados: As variáveis idade, massa corporal, estatura e IMC não diferiram entre os gêneros. O somatório de cinco dobras cutâneas resultou em eutrofia para ambos os gêneros. A RCQ indicou "risco moderado" para homens e "risco alto" para mulheres, de complicações metabólicas. A equação de Durnin & Womersley (1974) subestimou nos indivíduos do gênero masculino e superestimou no gênero feminino o %G obtido pela equação de Petroski (1995), respectivamente. Por ambas as equações, os indivíduos do gênero feminino apresentaram %G superior aos do gênero masculino. Conclusões:Os indivíduos de ambos os gêneros apresentam elevada adiposidade corporal, especialmente na região omental. A equação de Petroski (1995) atendeu de modo satisfatório aos critérios de aplicação utilizados e mostrou ser adequada para a população em questão.