scholarly journals The Application of 'Timed Up and Go' Test in Fall Screening of Elderly People in Shanghai: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author(s):  
Jian Wang ◽  
Xiuqin Chen ◽  
Xiaoming Sun ◽  
Huifen Ma ◽  
Yan Yu ◽  
...  

Background: We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the 'Timed Up and Go' test (TUGT) for identifying fall risk in community-dwelling elderly. Methods: From Aug 2016 to Feb 2017, cluster sampling was conducted among residents aged over 60 from 15 communities in Songjiang district, Shanghai. Face-to-face questionnaire interviews and TUGT measures were conducted to collect data. Results: 6,014 participants were enrolled, with an average age 72.7±7.0 years. 637 (10.6%) elderly people had a fall experience in the past year. TUGT for the non-fall group, one-fall group and recurrent-fall group was 9.02±4.39, 10.00±5.26 and 10.78±4.51 seconds respectively (P<0.001). ROC analysis showed that the TUGT cut-off point for the elderly was 12.5 seconds and AUC was 0.573 for any-fall group and 0.613 for recurrent-fall group respectively. After adjusting for age and gender, the predictive value was not high for any-fall group (AUC=0.614) and recurrent-fall group (AUC=0.648). The TUGT cut-off point for the elderly aged below 65, 65-74, 75-84 and 85 and above was 13.52s, 12.51s, 12.51s, 12.00s, respectively. After adjustment of the confounding factors, the OR values for the risk of fall for the elderly men and women who completed TUGT longer than the cut-off point was 2.404 and 2.075 times higher than those who completed TUGT shorter than the cut-off point, respectively. Conclusion: TUGT with the cut-off score of 12.5s has limited capability in predicting fall risk in community-dwelling elderly.

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 129-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Kumar Subedi

Insomnia is one of the major and unsolved problems in older people. Most of the sleep studies report that the different forms of insomnia like Difficulty Initiating Sleep (DIS), Difficulty Maintaining Sleep (DMS) and Non-Restorative Sleep (NRS) are common among the elderly that are associated to many factors. The objective of the study was to measure the prevalence of insomnia and the factors associated to it among the elderly people. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 142 elderly people of and above 60 years of age in Sarangdanda VDC of Panchthar District of Eastern Nepal. The presence or absence of insomnia and the associated factors were assessed on them by the help of interview schedule. The results were analyzed using chi-square test in SPSS (version 11.5). DMS was the most common reported form of insomnia among the elderly followed by DIS and NRS. Association between insomnia and each of factors like use of tobacco before sleeping hours, eating too close to bedtime, use of tea/coffee before sleeping hours and use of alcohol before sleeping hours were statistically significant at 95% level of confidence. Insomnia affects a large proportion of elderly and is triggered by many factors like use of tobacco before sleeping hours, use of tea/coffee before sleeping hours, eating too close to bedtime and use of alcohol before sleeping hours. Keywords: Alcohol; tea/coffee; difficulty initiating sleep (DIS); difficulty maintaining sleep (DMS); non-restorative sleep (NRS); tobacco DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v4i0.4517 Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Vol.4 2010 pp.129-142


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 1409-1418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Senyeong Kao ◽  
Yun-Chang Wang ◽  
Ya-Mei Tzeng ◽  
Chang-Kuo Liang ◽  
Fu-Gong Lin

ABSTRACTBackground: It is well documented that fall risk among elderly people is associated with poor health and depression. In this study, we set out to examine the combined effects of medical condition and depression status on fall incidents among community-dwelling elderly people.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the fall history of community-dwelling elders involving 360 participants. Those who had experienced at least two falls over the previous year, or one injurious fall, were defined as “fallers.” The Geriatric Depression Scale-15 was used as a screening instrument for depression status.Results: Based on a multivariate logistic regression and stratification analysis, depression was found to interact with various medical conditions on fall risk. In comparison with the non-depressive reference group, a six-fold fall risk was discernible among depressed elders with polypharmacy, while a five-fold risk was found among depressive elders using ancillary devices, along with a four-fold risk among depressive elders with diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Finally, arthritis was found to produce a nine-fold risk of falls among such populations.Conclusions: These findings suggest that greater emphasis should be placed on the integration of depression screening as an element of fall risk assessment in elderly people.


2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 705-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iara Guimarães Rodrigues ◽  
Gustavo Pereira Fraga ◽  
Marilisa Berti de Azevedo Barros

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to identify factors associated with the occurrence of falls among elderly adults in a population-based study (ISACamp 2008). Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out with two-stage cluster sampling. The sample was composed of 1,520 elderly adults living in the urban area of the city of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. The occurrence of falls was analyzed based on reports of the main accident occurred in the previous 12 months. Data on socioeconomic/demographic factors and adverse health conditions were tested for possible associations with the outcome. Prevalence ratios (PR) were estimated and adjusted for gender and age using the Poisson multiple regression analysis. Results: Falls were more frequent, after adjustment for gender and age, among female elderly participants (PR = 2.39; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.47 - 3.87), elderly adults (80 years old and older) (PR = 2.50; 95%CI 1.61 - 3.88), widowed (PR = 1.74; 95%CI 1.04 - 2.89) and among elderly adults who had rheumatism/arthritis/arthrosis (PR = 1.58; 95%CI 1.00 - 2.48), osteoporosis (PR = 1.71; 95%CI 1.18 - 2.49), asthma/bronchitis/emphysema (PR = 1,73; 95%CI 1.09 - 2.74), headache (PR = 1.59; 95%CI 1.07 - 2.38), mental common disorder (PR = 1.72; 95%CI 1.12 - 2.64), dizziness (PR = 2.82; 95%CI 1.98 - 4.02), insomnia (PR = 1.75; 95%CI 1.16 - 2.65), use of multiple medications (five or more) (PR = 2.50; 95%CI 1.12 - 5.56) and use of cane/walker (PR = 2.16; 95%CI 1.19 - 3,93). Conclusion: The present study shows segments of the elderly population who are more prone to falls through the identification of factors associated with this outcome. The findings can contribute to the planning of public health policies and programs addressed to the prevention of falls.


2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 298-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Vandepitte ◽  
Koen Putman ◽  
Nele Van Den Noortgate ◽  
Sofie Verhaeghe ◽  
Eric Mormont ◽  
...  

Background/Aims: Dementia is one of the main reasons for institutionalization among the elderly. Few studies have explored factors associated with the caregivers’ (CG) desire to institutionalize (DTI) a person with dementia (PWD). The objective of this study is to identify modifiable and non-modifiable psychosocial and sociodemographic factors associated with a caregiver’s DTI. Methods: Cross-sectional data of 355 informal CG of community-dwelling PWD were analyzed. Several characteristics were identified in CG and PWD to be included in a multivariable regression model based on the purposeful selection method. Results: Positively modifiable associated factors were: higher CG burden, being affected by behavioral problems, and respite care use. Positively associated non-modifiable factors were: CG older age, being professionally active, and CG higher educational level. Cohabitation and change of professional situation were negatively associated. Conclusion: Although no causality can be assumed, several practical recommendations can be suggested. First of all, these results reconfirm the importance of multicomponent strategies, especially support aimed at decreasing burden and in learning coping strategies. Also, CG might benefit from information about support options, such as respite care services. Finally, special attention should be given to older and working CG. In the latter, flexible and adaptive working conditions might alleviate burden and therefore reduce the DTI of the PWD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alijan Ahmadiahangar ◽  
Yahya Javadian ◽  
Mansour Babaei ◽  
Behzad Heidari ◽  
Seyedreza Hosseini ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Ladeira Garbaccio ◽  
Amanda Domingos Ferreira ◽  
Amanda Laís Gonçalves Gama Pereira

The present study aimed to assess the knowledge and practices reported by the elderly in relation to basic care of one's skin. A cross sectional study was performed from November 2011 to August 2012 in Arcos, Minas Gerais, based on a structured questionnaire administered to 250 elderly persons, with answers statistically analyzed. Knowledge and practices of self-skincare were evaluated from the median number of ten questions answered by the elderly. Most of the sample population were women (54.8%), aged between 60 and 69 years (52.4%), with a primary education (71.6%) and working in a job where they were exposed to direct sunlight (58.0%). The majority (76.4%) said they did not use protective sun filter despite considering it important (77.6%). The use of body moisturizing creams was reported by 55.6%. An association (p<0.05) was identified between the variables practice/knowledge and gender and practice outdoor activity. Further studies can be conducted as a result of the present research to clarify factors related to non-adherence to self-skincare, and educational measures should be put in place for the entire population, regardless of age, to prevent pathological skin aging.


2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renata Damião ◽  
Álvaro da Silva Santos ◽  
Alicia Matijasevich ◽  
Paulo Rossi Menezes

ABSTRACT: Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition risk and its association with socioeconomic, behavioral, and health characteristics in the community-dwelling elderly. Methods: A cross-sectional study with individuals aged ≥ 60 years. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Socioeconomic, behavioral, and health information was also collected from all participants. The association between each variable and the risk of malnutrition was calculated and adjusted using Poisson hierarchical regression. Results: The initial sample consisted of 3,101 elderly people, of whom 28.3% (95%CI 25.3 - 31.4%) were at risk of malnutrition. The multivariate analysis showed that the risk of malnutrition was significantly higher in women without formal education, who did not live with a partner, and identified as black-skinned. The risk of malnutrition was twice as high in individuals with no family income as compared to those who earned at least three minimum wages. Smokers were also more likely to be at risk of malnutrition than individuals who had never smoked. Participants suffering from kidney, respiratory or heart disease were at higher risk of malnutrition than those with no history of such illnesses. Conclusion: These findings could be used to help in the development of health policies and in the establishment of adequate programs aimed at reducing the risk of malnutrition in this population.


2009 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1328-1332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aditya Vedantam ◽  
Vijay Subramanian ◽  
Nicholas Vijay Rao ◽  
KR John

AbstractObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among free-living elderly in a rural population of south India.DesignCross-sectional study. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire, which is an eighteen-item nutritional screening instrument used in the elderly.SettingKaniyambadi block, a rural development block in the state of Tamil Nadu, south India.SubjectsCommunity-dwelling elderly (aged 60 years and above).ResultsAs evaluated by the MNA, 14 % of the 227 subjects were malnourished and 49 % were at risk of malnourishment. No significant difference was found between men and women. The majority of the elderly were living with their children, had no income and consumed three meals per day. Older age (P < 0·001), decreased food intake (P < 0·001) and consuming fewer meals (P < 0·001) were independently associated with lower MNA scores.ConclusionsMore than 60 % of the subjects had low MNA scores (<23·5) indicating that deficient protein–energy intake is common among rural elderly of south India and requires more attention.


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