Valor dos instrumentos de avaliação de risco de quedas em idosos com fibrilação atrial / Utility of evaluation tools for assessment of the risk of falls in eldelry patients with atrial fibrillation

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2007

RESUMO

Introduction: Falling is a complex phenomenon, highly prevalent and costly. It may cause serious consequences, including death. Anticoagulation is beneficial for elderly patients with atrial fibrillation. However, falls may limit its use, especially when recurrent. The goals of this study were to evaluate the association between the occurrence of falls and variables derived from clinical and multidisciplinary evaluation of elderly patients with atrial fibrillation, to analyze the prevalence, characteristics and consequences of falls. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 107 elderly patients older than 60 years of age with chronic atrial fibrillation who were followed in the Geriatric Cardiology Outpatient Clinic of InCor-HCFMUSP. Subjects were divided in two groups: (1) those with no history of falls in the past year, and (2) patients with at least one fall within the previous year. All patients underwent clinical and multifactorial evaluation, which included socio-demographic data, history of falls, their characteristics and consequences, questionnaires on quality of life (BOMFAQ), functional activity (HAQ), nutritional risk (Guigoz), psycho-cognitive function (PRIME MD, Mini-Mental), and the following evaluations: balance and mobility (Berg scale, POMA, Timed up &go), neurologic, muscular strength, and hearing status, and visual acuity (Snellen table and Donders test). Statistical tests employed included chi-square, analysis of likelihood methods, and Fisher exact test, as appropriate. Quantitative variables were compared by t-test or Wilcoxon. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Variables statistically significant by univariate analysis were employed in a model of logistic regression to determine sensitivity, specificity, and estimated probability of falls. Results: 1) 51.4% of the patients (55) fell at least once in the preceding year, with 90% of the falls resulting in corporal lesions. 2) There were no difference between the two groups in regard to age, gender, body mass index, habits, nutritional risks, and level of physical activity. 3) There was a significant relationship between the occurrence of fall and the following univariate variables: symptom of fatigue, use of amiodarone, class III heart failure , diabetes, muscular strength, difficulty to maintain balance detected by the BOMFAQ questionnaire, hearing and visual impairment, and POMA balance scale. 4) The risk factors most frequent were hypertension, visual and hearing impairments, and muscular weakness. Logistic regression yielded the following independent variables: use of amiodarone, diabetes, and difficulty to maintain balance by BOMFAQ. These variables together had 92,9% sensitivity and 44,9% specificificity for predicting the occurrence of falls, with a hazard ratio of 5.95 and likelihood methods of 5.0. Conclusion: in a group of relatively independent, elderly patients with chronic atrial fibrillation which were able to visit an out-patient clinic, many risk factors for falls were identified. The multivariate analysis identified as independent risk factors, the use of amiodarone, the diagnosis of diabetes and difficulty in maintaining balance detected by the BOMFAQ questionnaire. The frequency of falls with recurrences and consequences was high. In these patients, it is very important to ask about the occurrence of falls in the last year and to evaluate the risk of falls, considering the decision to prescribe anti-coagulation.

ASSUNTO(S)

fibrilação atrial accidental falls questionários questionnaires força muscular risk assessment idoso gait muscle strength medição de risco e equilíbrio musculoesquelético. atrial fibrillation marcha musculoskeletal equilibrium. aged acidentes por quedas

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