Limitações da mobilidade em idosos institucionalizados e seus fatores associados

Abstract

Mobility is the ability of individuals to move in space. Institutionalized elderly are vulnerable to the development of mobility limitations. These limitations may increase the risk of impairment of functional capacity and interfere in the social participation of the elderly, it compromising quality of life. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with mobility limitations in the elderly living in nursing homes. Three articles was produced, the first being a systematic review on the limitations of mobility in older adults, pointing to evidence of the association of these limitations with functional, nutritional and social factors. The second article deals with the prevalence of mobility limitations and their associated factors, concluding that mobility limitations has a high prevalence in the older adults institutionalized population (65.6%; 95% CI: 59.6-70.4) associated with longevity (p = 0,002; 1.35: 1.12 - 1.63) and the nutritional status of the older adults (p <0,001; 1.86: 1.54-2.26). In the third article, it sought to find the main factors associated with joint contractures in the elderly, demonstrating an association of contractures with mobility limitations (p <0,001; 6.82: 4.43 -10.51) and falls episodes (p = 0,003; 0.38: 0.20 - 0.72). In this context, research in its multidisciplinary interface reflects results already expected for institutionalized older adults, however, it contributes positively to science, since robust studies involving this contingent of the population are still insufficient in the literature.