Influence of muscle mass and bone mass on the mobility of elderly women: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of muscle mass and bone mineral density on markers of mobility in dwelling elderly women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 99 elderly women, who were 65 years old or above, in Campinas-SP, Brazil. To collect data, we used sociodemographic data, the body mass index (BMI), health status, comorbidities, use of medications, mobility tests (TUG and gait speed) and examinations of the body composition (densitometry with dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry "DXA"). In order to examine the relationship between muscle and bone mass with mobility (gait speed and TUG), we applied the Spearman correlation coefficient.Also was applied the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) adjusted for age and comorbidities. To identify the factors associated with mobility, we used the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The level of significance for statistical tests was P < 0.05. RESULTS: The correlation between sarcopenia and bone mineral density with mobility tests showed a significant relationship only between sarcopenia and TUG (r = 0.277, P = 0.006) in Spearman correlation coefficient. The result of the correlation analysis (ANCOVA) showed that sarcopenia was associated with gait speed (r2 = 0.0636, P = 0.0018) and TUG (r2 = 0.0898, P = 0.0027). The results of the multivariate analysis showed that age (P = 0.034, OR = 1.081) was associated with worse performance on gait speed. By highlighting the TUG test, the results of the multivariate analysis showed that the age (P = 0.004, OR = 1.111) and BMI in overweight (P = 0.011, OR = 7.83) and obese (P < 0.001, OR = 7.84) women were associated with lower performance of the functionality of the lower limbs. CONCLUSION: The findings with regard to mobility tests which were analyzed in this study indicate the association of variables related to the aging process that contribute to the decline in physical performance, for example, age, BMI and sarcopenia.

Prevalence and factors associated with rheumatic diseases and chronic joint symptoms in the elderly.

AIM: In the elderly population, rheumatic conditions are major causes of pain that restrict participation in activities and mobility, and cause difficulties in the execution of self-care tasks. The present study aimed to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with the self-reported rheumatic diseases and chronic joint symptoms of the elderly. METHODS: This transversal epidemiological survey involved 2209 older adults (aged ≥ 60 years). The investigation included sociodemographic factors, anthropometrics, activities of daily living, chronic conditions, medication and quality of life. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used for statistical procedures, P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of rheumatism was 22.7%. Multivariate analysis showed that rheumatism was correlated with the following: female sex (OR = 1.91), high income (OR = 2.34), cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.42), cataracts (OR = 1.39), glucocorticoids (OR = 5.24), other anti-inflammatory medications (OR = 2.24) and pain (OR = 0.983). After adjusting for age and glucocorticoids, an association between cataracts and rheumatism was detected (OR = 1.32). The prevalence of symptoms was 45.6%. Multivariate regression results for symptoms included the following: female sex (OR = 1.40), body mass index ≥ 30.0 kg/m(2) (OR = 3.31), functional capacity (OR = 0.990), general health (OR = 0.993) and pain (OR = 0.981). After adjustment for age and glucocorticoids, an association between cataracts and symptoms was detected (OR = 1.26). CONCLUSION: There was a significant association of rheumatism and symptoms with women and high incomes. Obesity was associated with joint symptoms, which in turn were associated with an impaired quality of life. Cataracts and cardiovascular disease were associated with rheumatism. The identification of these characteristics in the elderly will contribute to a better understanding of this systemic disease and should be used to plan effective preventive measures.