RESUMO
Abstract To evaluate functional capacity, mobility and balance in elderly patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), in its mild, moderate and severe forms, verifying the existence of correlation among these parameters. Eighty-eight elderly patients (81.79 ± 6.54 years) diagnosed with AD treated at an elderly care reference center in Taguatinga-DF were selected, and information was collected between November 2018 and March 2019. Data collection was initially made by filling in the evaluation form. Subsequently, two questionnaires were administered to caregivers (Clinical Dementia Rating-CDR and Disability Assessment for Dementia -DAD) and two tests to demented patients (Southampton Assessment of Mobility-SAM-Br and Timed Up and Go-TUG). Variables were correlated using the SPSS software version 22 using Pearson's correlation, with significance level p?0.05. The following results were obtained: 1. weak correlations between CDR and DAD (p = 0.04; r = -0.31) with significant difference; 2. strong correlation and significant difference between CDR and TUG (p = 0.02; r = 0.87); 3. weak and non-significant correlation between CDR and SAM-Br (p = 0.14; r = -0.24); 4. significant difference and highly strong correlation between SAM-Br and TUG (p = 0.01; r = 0.70). Older adults with Alzheimer's disease present decreased functional capacity, mobility and risk of falls associated with the disease progression. SAM-Br and TUG tools showed strong correlation and, although it is a generic measure, TUG showed strong correlation with AD progression, and may be a predictive test for the risk of falls in this population.
Resumo Avaliar a capacidade funcional, mobilidade e equilíbrio em pacientes idosos com Doença de Alzheimer (DA). Foram selecionados 88 pacientes idosos (81,79±6,54 anos) diagnosticados com DA atendidos em um centro de referência atendimento a idosos, e estas informações foram coletadas entre janeiro e junho de 2019, com o preenchimento da ficha de avaliação. A seguir, aplicaram-se dois questionários aos cuidadores (Clinical Dementia Rating-CDR e Disability Assessment for Dementia -DAD) e dois testes aos idosos dementados (Southampton Assessment of Mobility-SAM-Br e Timed Get Up and Go-TUG). A correlação das variáveis foi feita no software SPSS versão 22 com o uso da Correlação de Pearson, considerando-se o nível de significância p?0,05. Obtiveram-se correlações fracas entre CDR e DAD (p= 0,04; r= -0,31) com diferença significativa; correlação forte e diferença significativa entre CDR e TUG (p= 0,02; r= 0,87); CDR teve correlação fraca e não significativa com SAM-Br (p=0,14; r=-0,24); diferença significativa e correlação altamente forte entre SAM-Br e TUG (p=0,01; r= 0,70). Os idosos com doença de Alzheimer apresentam diminuição da capacidade funcional, mobilidade e risco de quedas associada ao avanço da doença. As ferramentas SAM-Br e TUG apresentaram correlação forte estre elas e, apesar de ser uma medida genérica, o TUG apresentou forte correlação com o avanço da DA, podendo ser um teste preditivo para o risco de quedas nesta população.