Circunstâncias e consequências de quedas em idosos com diabetes mellitus tipo 2

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for other comorbidities in the elderly, due to functional changes in sensory and motor systems, making them more susceptible to falls. Objectives: To investigate the circumstances and consequences of falls in elderly people with DM2 and relate them to the number of falls (one/two or more falls). Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical observational study in which 58 individuals, female and male, aged 60 years or older, were evaluated. Descriptive analyzes and chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were performed, p<0.05 Results: The sample was mostly female (79.3%), with a mean age of 70.69±7.35 years. Thirty elderly (51.7%) had a time of diagnosis of DM of up to 10 years. Only four elderly people used a walking aid device (6.9%). Fear of falling was reported by 89.7%, and 77.6% reported a tendency to fall. Dizziness was prevalent in 32 (55.2%) of the cases. Recurrent falls were observed in 31 elderly people (53.4%), 48.3% of the falls occurred in the morning, 44.8% of them by propulsion mechanism, 51.7% during walking, 36.2% by tripping and 25.9% by slipping. No statistically significant associations were found between the variable number of occurrence of falls and the variables location, period, ambient lighting, causes and direction of the fall. Conclusions: The fear of falling and the tendency to fall are reported by most elderly people with DM. The fall is more frequent in the morning, inside the house and during locomotion Propulsive driving is reported by almost half of the elderly and the most common cause of falls is stumbling.Directions in health education programs and rehabilitative strategies can prevent new events or even, if they occur, have milder consequences.