Relationship between Social Participation, Children's Support, and Social Frailty with Falls among Older Adults in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: There is limited research on social factors related to falls among older adults. This study assessed the association between falls during the past year with social participation, children's support, relationship with children, and social frailty. METHODS: Participants were 17,687 community-dwelling older adults from the 2015 Survey on Health, Well-being, and Aging (SABE) in Colombia. Covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, environmental barriers, psychotropic intake, vision problems, memory loss, multimorbidity, and fear of falling. RESULTS: In multivariate logistic regression analyses, being socially frail (vs. no-frail) was associated with higher odds of falls (odds ratio [OR]=1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.32). Participating in groups (OR=1.07; 95% CI 1.03-1.11), helping others (OR=1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.06), or volunteering (OR=1.09; 95% CI 1.01-1.17) were also associated with higher odds of falls. These findings were partly explained because most group participants reside in cities where they are more exposed to environmental barriers. In contrast, receiving help, affection, and company from children (OR=0.95; 95% CI 0.93-0.97) was associated with lower fall odds than not receiving it. Moreover, having a good relationship with children was associated with lower odds of falls (OR=0.75; 95% CI, 0.66-0.85) compared to an unsatisfactory relationship. CONCLUSION: Support from children and having a good relationship with them were associated with fewer falls; however, social frailty and participation in social groups were associated with more falls.

Sarcopenic dysphagia in institutionalised older adults.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenic dysphagia, defined as dysphagia caused by sarcopenia, is a swallowing disorder of great interest to the medical community. The objective of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenic dysphagia in institutionalised older adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in a nursing home between September and December 2017, with 100 participants. The presence of dysphagia was assessed using the volume-viscosity clinical examination method, and the diagnostic algorithm for sarcopenic dysphagia was followed. The participants' grip strength, gait speed, calf circumference, nutritional assessment (Mini Nutritional Assessment), Barthel Index, cognitive assessment (Mini-Mental State Examination) and Charlson Comorbidity Index were evaluated. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The median age was 84 years, and 55% were women; 48% had functional dependence, 49% had positive screening for malnutrition and 64% had some degree of dysphagia. The prevalence of sarcopenic dysphagia was 45%, and the main factors related to less sarcopenic dysphagia were a good nutritional status (OR 0.85, 95% CI, 0.72-0.99) and a better functional performance status (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.98). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenic dysphagia has a high prevalence in institutionalised older adults; and functional dependence and poor nutritional status were associated with sarcopenic dysphagia.

Sarcopenic dysphagia in institutionalised older adults. / Disfagia sarcopénica en adultos mayores institucionalizados.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcopenic dysphagia, defined as dysphagia caused by sarcopenia, is a swallowing disorder of great interest to the medical community. The objective of our study was to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenic dysphagia in institutionalised older adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted in a nursing home between September and December 2017, with 100 participants. The presence of dysphagia was assessed using the volume-viscosity clinical examination method, and the diagnostic algorithm for sarcopenic dysphagia was followed. The participants' grip strength, gait speed, calf circumference, nutritional assessment (Mini Nutritional Assessment), Barthel Index, cognitive assessment (Mini-Mental State Examination) and Charlson Comorbidity Index were evaluated. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: The median age was 84 years, and 55% were women; 48% had functional dependence, 49% had positive screening for malnutrition and 64% had some degree of dysphagia. The prevalence of sarcopenic dysphagia was 45%, and the main factors related to less sarcopenic dysphagia were a good nutritional status (OR 0.85, 95% CI, 0.72-0.99) and a better functional performance status (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.98). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenic dysphagia has a high prevalence in institutionalised older adults; and functional dependence and poor nutritional status were associated with sarcopenic dysphagia.