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.

Caracterização e análise do estado mental e funcional de idosos institucionalizados em instituições públicas de longa permanência / Analysis and characterization of functional capacity and mental state in residents in old folk’s home

OBJETIVO: O estudo objetivou caracterizar os idosos institucionalizados residentes em três instituições de longa permanência para idosos, quanto a sua capacidade funcional e seu estado mental, e verificar se existe correlação entre ambas. MÉTODOS: Para isso foram utilizados três instrumentos: um formulário de identificação, o Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e o Índice de Barthel. Foram utilizados como tratamento estatístico a Correlação de Person e o Teste da ANOVA. RESULTADOS: A população avaliada consistiu de 115 idosos com idades entre 62 e 104 anos, sendo 40,66 por cento do sexo feminino e 59,13 por cento do sexo masculino. São alfabetizados 49,56 por cento e analfabetos 50,43 por cento, quanto ao estado civil predominaram os solteiros (46,65 por cento) e viúvos (21,8 por cento). Quanto ao estado mental e funcional, houve alta taxa de idosos apresentando déficit cognitivo (76,72 por cento) e de idosos independentes funcionalmente (75,65 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: De acordo com os resultados observa-se que existe correlação significativa entre o Índice de Barthel e o MEEM (r = 0,441; p < 0,000), e também que as variáveis sexo e idade não influenciam nos resultados destes instrumentos. Existe relação estatística significativa (p < 0,0001) entre escolaridade e estado mental e/ou funcional do indivíduo.

BACKGROUND: This study had as objective to characterize the institutionalized elderly residents in three long-term care facilities, about their functional capacity and mental state, and to evaluate if there is a correlation between both. METHODS: To do so, three instruments were used: an identification form, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Barthel’s Index. For statistical analysis the Person’s Correlation and ANOVA Test were used. RESULTS: The population studied consisted of 115 elders with ages between 62 and 104 years old, 40.66 percent females and 59.13 percent males. 49.56 percent are literate and 50.43 percent illiterate. Regarding the marital status, singles (46.65 percent) and widows (21.8 percent) were predominant. About the mental and functional state, there was a high rate of elders showing cognitive decline (76.72 percent) and functionally independent (75.65 percent). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, one can notice that there is a mild degree of correlation between the Barthel’s Index and MMSE (r = 0.441; p < 0.000), and the variables of gender and age are not influenced in the results of these instruments. There is a significant statistical relation (p < 0.0001) between education and mental and/or functional state of the individual.