Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Static postural control and risk of falls in older women with and without urinary incontinence

ABSTRACT

Urinary incontinence (UI) is associated with the occurrence of falls in older people and may be related to failure in the postural control of older people. This study aims to compare static postural control under eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions as well as the risk of falls in older women with UI and without UI. The sample was divided in two groups: a group of older women with UI (n=21, age=65.33±4.57 years) and a group of older women without UI (n=19, age=66.37±5.26 years). The urinary loss characteristics of the UI group were evaluated with use of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF). The static postural control of the groups was measured using displacement of center of pressure (COP) through a force platform and the risk of falls was evaluated with the Timed Up and Go test (TUG). Statistical analysis was performed using Mann Whitney’s U-Testand the chi-square test. Most participants with UI lost urine in small amounts and at low frequency. No difference was observed between the groups with respect to COP variables (p>0.05) and risk of falls (p=0.082). However, in the intragroup analysis, a difference was observed in the COP velocity of both groups comparing open and closed eyes (p<0.05). No difference was observed in the static postural control and risk of falls in older women with and without UI.

Keywords |
Aged; Urinary Incontinence; Postural Balance; Accidental Falls

RESUMO

A incontinência urinária (IU) está associada à ocorrência de quedas em idosos e pode ter relação com déficits no controle postural. O objetivo deste trabalho é comparar o controle postural estático, na condição de olhos abertos e fechados, e o risco de quedas entre idosas com IU e idosas sem IU. A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos: idosas com IU (n=21, idade=65,33±4,57 anos) e idosas sem IU (n=19, idade=66,37±5,26 anos). As características da perda urinária do grupo com IU foram avaliadas por meio do International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire: Short Form (ICIQ-SF). O controle postural estático dos grupos foi mensurado pelo deslocamento do centro de pressão (COP) por meio de uma plataforma de força; e o risco de quedas foi avaliado pelo teste timed up and go. Para a análise estatística, foi utilizado o teste U de Mann-Whitney e o teste qui-quadrado. A maioria das participantes com IU perdiam urina em pequena quantidade e todas perdiam em baixa frequência. Não foi observada diferença entre os grupos em relação às variáveis do COP (p>0,05) e o risco de quedas (p=0,082). Entretanto, na análise intragrupos, houve diferença na velocidade do COP de ambos os grupos na comparação olhos abertos versus olhos fechados (p<0,05). Não houve diferença no controle postural estático e no risco de quedas entre idosas com e sem IU.

Descritores |
Idoso; Incontinência Urinária; Equilíbrio Postural; Acidente por Quedas

RESUMEN

La incontinencia urinaria (IU) está asociada con la presencia de caídas en los ancianos y puede estar relacionada con déficits en el control postural de ellos. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar el control postural estático con los ojos abiertos y con los ojos cerrados y el riesgo de caídas entre mujeres ancianas con IU y mujeres ancianas sin IU. La muestra se dividió en dos grupos: ancianas con IU (n=21, edad=65,33±4,57 años) y ancianas sin IU (n=19, edad=66,37±5,26 años). Las características de pérdida urinaria en el grupo con IU se evaluaron utilizando el International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire: Short Forma (ICIQ-SF). El control postural estático de los grupos se midió por el desplazamiento del centro de presión (COP) por medio de una plataforma de fuerza; y el riesgo de caídas fue evaluado por el test del timed up and go. En el análisis estadístico, se utilizaron la prueba U de Mann-Whitney y la prueba de Chi-cuadrado. La mayoría de las participantes con IU perdieron una pequeña cantidad de orina y todas la perdieron a baja frecuencia. No se observó diferencia entre los grupos en relación con las variables COP (p>0,05) y el riesgo de caídas (p=0,082). Sin embargo, en el análisis intragrupo hubo una diferencia en la velocidad de COP de ambos grupos en la comparación ojos abiertos versus ojos cerrados (p<0,05). No hubo diferencias en el control postural estático y en el riesgo de caídas entre las ancianas con y sin IU.

Palabras clave |
Anciano; Incontinencia Urinaria; Balance Postural; Accidente por Caídas

INTRODUCTION

Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined by the International Continence Society (ICS) as any urine involuntary loss and is more dominant in females, affecting about 75% of older women22. Saboia DM, Firmiano MLV, Bezerra KC, Vasconcelos NJA, Oriá MOB, Vasconcelos CTM. Impacto dos tipos de incontinência urinária na qualidade de vida de mulheres. Rev Esc Enferm. 2017;51(e03266):1-8. doi: 10.1590/s1980-220x2016032603266
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201603...
), (33. Jung HB, Kim HJ, Cho ST. A current perspective on geriatric lower urinary tract dysfunction. Korean J Urol. 2015;56:266-75. doi: 10.4111/kju.2015.56.4.266
https://doi.org/10.4111/kju.2015.56.4.26...
. Advanced age, female gender and number of pregnancies are some UI risk factors44. Carvalho MP, Andrade FP, Peres W, Martinelli T, Simch F, Orcy, RB, et al. O impacto da incontinência urinária e seus fatores associados em idosas. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2014;17(4):721-30. doi: 10.1590/1809-9823.2014.13135
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-9823.2014.1...
. UI is considered a public health problem that negatively affects the individual’s quality of life and social relations, generating high expenses with its treatment22. Saboia DM, Firmiano MLV, Bezerra KC, Vasconcelos NJA, Oriá MOB, Vasconcelos CTM. Impacto dos tipos de incontinência urinária na qualidade de vida de mulheres. Rev Esc Enferm. 2017;51(e03266):1-8. doi: 10.1590/s1980-220x2016032603266
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201603...
), (44. Carvalho MP, Andrade FP, Peres W, Martinelli T, Simch F, Orcy, RB, et al. O impacto da incontinência urinária e seus fatores associados em idosas. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2014;17(4):721-30. doi: 10.1590/1809-9823.2014.13135
https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-9823.2014.1...
. In addition, studies suggest that urinary loss is strongly associated with falls in older people55. Abreu HCA, Reiners AAO, Azevedo RCS, Silva AMC, Abreu DROM. Urinary incontinence in the prediction of falls in hospitalized elderly. Rev Esc Enferm. 2014;48(5):851-6. doi: 10.1590/S0080-6234201400005000011
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-6234201400...
)- (88. Pahwa AK, Andy UU, Newman DK, Stambakio H, Schmitz KH, Arya LA. Nocturnal enuresis as a risk factor for falls in older community-dwelling women with urinary incontinence. J Urol. 2016;195(5): 1512-6. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2015.11.046
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2015.11.0...
, and its incidence tends to increase with age99. Vitorino LM, Teixeira CAB, Vilas Boas EL, Pereira RL, Santos NO, Rozendo CA. Fear of falling in older adults living at home: associated factors. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2017;51:e03215. doi: 10.1590/s1980-220x2016223703215
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201622...
.

Aging decreases electrical activity of the somatosensory, vestibular and visual systems, responsible for postural control, which generates oscillations of the body’s center of pressure (COP) beyond the limits of the individual’s support base, leading to a fall1010. Shumway-cook A, Woollacott MH. Motor control: translating research into clinical practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.), (1111. Tomomitsu MSV, Alonso AC, Marimoto E, Bobbio TG, Greve JMD. Static and dynamic postural control in low-vision and normal-vision adults. Clinics. 2013;68:517-21. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2013(04)13
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2013(04)...
. As such, the individual needs the integrity of these systems in order to maintain an adequate upright posture1010. Shumway-cook A, Woollacott MH. Motor control: translating research into clinical practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007., wherein the visual system is the main component in postural control1212. Horiuchi K, Ishihara M, Imanaka K. The essential role of optical flow in the peripheral visual field for stable quiet standing: evidence from the use of a head-mounted display. PLoS One. 2017;12(10):e0184552. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184552
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.018...
), (1313. O'Connell C, Mahboobin A, Drexler S, Redfern MS, Perera S, Nau AC, et al. Effects of acute peripheral/central visual field loss on standing balance. Exp Brain Res. 2017;235(11):3261-70. doi: 10.1007/s00221-017-5045-x
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-017-5045-...
.

Older people who have suffered a fall may develop fear of falling again, which ends up interfering in their self-esteem, reducing mobility and affecting their quality of life99. Vitorino LM, Teixeira CAB, Vilas Boas EL, Pereira RL, Santos NO, Rozendo CA. Fear of falling in older adults living at home: associated factors. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2017;51:e03215. doi: 10.1590/s1980-220x2016223703215
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201622...
, especially of the older person with UI. At this point, the physical therapist plays an important role in the development of exercise programs for fall prevention in older women with UI1414. Gerards MHG, McCrum C, Mansfield A, Meijer K. Perturbation-based balance training for falls reduction among older adults: current evidence and implications for clinical practice. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2017;17(12):2294-303. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13082
https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.13082...
, improving their muscular endurance and balance, thus reducing the risk of falls1414. Gerards MHG, McCrum C, Mansfield A, Meijer K. Perturbation-based balance training for falls reduction among older adults: current evidence and implications for clinical practice. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2017;17(12):2294-303. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13082
https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.13082...
, which is associated with failures in the postural control mechanisms1111. Tomomitsu MSV, Alonso AC, Marimoto E, Bobbio TG, Greve JMD. Static and dynamic postural control in low-vision and normal-vision adults. Clinics. 2013;68:517-21. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2013(04)13
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2013(04)...
and may be related to UI1515. Smith MD, Coppieters MW, Hodges PW. Is balance different in women with and without stress urinary incontinence? Neurourol Urodyn. 2008;27:71-8. doi: 10.1002/nau.20476
https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.20476...
. Some studies1515. Smith MD, Coppieters MW, Hodges PW. Is balance different in women with and without stress urinary incontinence? Neurourol Urodyn. 2008;27:71-8. doi: 10.1002/nau.20476
https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.20476...
), (1616. Chmielewska D, Staniae M, Slomka K, Blaszczak E, Taradaj J, Dolibog P. Static postural stability in women with stress urinary incontinence: effects of vision and bladder filling. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017;36(8):2019-27. doi: 10.1002/nau.23222
https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23222...
) identified a greater COP displacement in women with UI compared with women without UI. As these studies indicate, bladder filling alters postural control and impairs the performance of women with UI in executing tasks. However, scarce studies verify the postural control of incontinent women without filling the bladder as an outcome. In addition, few studies on this subject were performed to have a broader view of UI influence on postural control.

Thus, the objective of this study was to compare static postural control under eyes-closed and eyes-open conditions, and the risk of falls in older women with UI and older women without UI.

METHODOLOGY

This is a cross-sectional case-control study with quantitative approach, performed with older women with UI and older women without UI.

As eligibility criteria, women aged between 60 and 80 years; with preserved cognitive capacity, evaluated via the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), according to their education level1717. Folstein MF, Folstein SE, Mchugh PR. "Mini-mental state": a practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res. 1975;12:189-98. doi: 10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6
https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3956(75)900...
; and with functional independence as assessed by the Katz et al1818. Katz S, Ford AB, Moskowitz RW, Jackson BA, Jaffe MW. Studies of illness in the aged: the index of ADL: a standardized measure of biological and psychosocial function. JAMA. 1963;12(185):914-9. doi: 10.1001/jama.1963.03060120024016
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1963.030601...
. Index were included for convenience1818. Katz S, Ford AB, Moskowitz RW, Jackson BA, Jaffe MW. Studies of illness in the aged: the index of ADL: a standardized measure of biological and psychosocial function. JAMA. 1963;12(185):914-9. doi: 10.1001/jama.1963.03060120024016
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1963.030601...
. Older women with (self-reported) neurological and/or cognitive pathologies, evaluated with the MMSE; with labyrinth disorders; that use orthoses or prostheses in upper or lower limbs; with limb amputation; who have undergone surgery or therapy for UI treatment; and who were under hormone replacement therapy were excluded. Data collection occurred between February and September 2017.

A participant data record composed of identification data and obstetric data (number of pregnancies and deliveries) was produced by the researchers to characterize the sample. In order to characterize urinary losses, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire: Short Form (ICIQ-SF) was used, as it is an instrument validated and translated into Portuguese1919. Tamanini JTN, Dambros M, D'Ancona CAL, Palma PCR, Netto Júnior NR. Validação para o português do "International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form" (ICIQ-SF). Rev Saúde Pública. 2004;38(3):438-44. doi: 10.1590/S0034-89102004000300015
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-8910200400...
, composed of four questions groups about quantity, frequency, occasion of urinary loss and impact of urinary loss on daily life. Values were assigned, ranging from zero to 21, wherein a score equal to zero classifies the subject as not having UI; a score of 1 to 3 refers to mild impact on quality of life; 4 to 6, moderate; 7 to 9, severe; 10 or more, very serious.

The risk of falls was assessed using the timed up and go (TUG) test, which is based on the timed task of getting up from a chair, walking three meters, turning 360°, going back to the chair and sitting again. The time taken to perform the test ranks the subject’s risk of falls into: low risk of falls - less than 10 seconds; medium risk - 10 to 20 seconds; and high risk - over 20 seconds2020. Shumway-Cook A, Brauer S, Woollacott M. Predicting the probability for falls in community-dwelling older adults using the timed up & go test. Phys Ther. 2000;80(9):896-903..

The COP measurements of static postural control were obtained through the force platform Advanced Mechanical Technologies, Inc. (AMTI) model OR6-5. The following COP variables were acquired: anteroposterior range of displacement (COPap); mediolateral range of displacement (COPml); mean displacement velocity (COPvel); and area. The kinetic data acquired through the force platform operated at the 100Hz frequency at ground level. For the filtering of the force and moment raw data, a 4th order Butterworth Low-Pass Filter with cut-off frequency of 10Hz was used.

During the COP measurements evaluation, subjects were instructed to position themselves on the force platform with their feet apart at hip width, head forward and eyes fixed on a target at a distance of approximately two meters. The position of the feet was drawn in paper and fixed to the ground so that each attempt was made with the same positioning, maintaining the same support base. Three 30-second attempts were performed, the subject having their eyes open, with a one-minute interval between attempts, and subsequent three attempts with eyes closed. During data collection, subjects should be barefoot, with bipedal support and arms extended along the body2121. Padilha JF, Braz MM, Seidel EJ, Porolnik S, Mota CB. Equilíbrio corporal estático e risco de queda em idosas com incontinência urinária de esforço. Fisioter Bras. 2014;12(4). doi: 10.33233/fb.v15i4
https://doi.org/10.33233/fb.v15i4...
. Evaluation of COP measurements was performed by a blind investigator.

Sample calculation was estimated to obtain a 5% significance level (α) and 80% power (1-β). Postural control evaluation was performed in a sample of at least 19 subjects in each group, based on the results obtained by Chmielewska et al. (1616. Chmielewska D, Staniae M, Slomka K, Blaszczak E, Taradaj J, Dolibog P. Static postural stability in women with stress urinary incontinence: effects of vision and bladder filling. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017;36(8):2019-27. doi: 10.1002/nau.23222
https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23222...
, considering the comparison between the with UI and without UI groups with empty bladder and eyes open of the COP area variable as primary outcome.

Statistical analyses were performed using the application software Statistical Analysis System version 9.0. In order to verify data normality, the Shapiro-Wilk test was performed. For inter-group and intra-group comparisons, the Mann-Whitney U-test was used. The chi-square test was performed for frequency comparisons, and the significance level adopted was 5% for all tests.

RESULTS

The study included 40 older women, divided into two groups: without UI (n=19) and with UI (n=21). All participants (n=40) had preserved cognitive capacity and functional independence assessed by MMSE and Katz index, respectively. Data for sample characterization are shown in Table 1. No statistically significant difference was observed between groups for the analyzed variables, showing homogeneity between the groups.

Table 1
Characterization of study participants (n=40)

Table 2 shows characteristics of older women with UI urinary losses, presenting a higher frequency of older women with mixed UI, with urinary loss once a week or less and a small amount of urine loss. UI impact on daily life was considered moderate in most participants.

Table 2
Characterization of study participants’ urinary loss (n=21) according to the ICIQ-SF.

Table 3 shows COP analysis data of the static and intragroup static postural control. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups and the variables of COP, both for the evaluation under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions. However, the data in Table 3 show that older women with UI had a higher mean COP displacement than older women without UI, with higher values in all variables under the condition of eyes-open and eyes-closed. During intragroup analysis with eyes-open versus eyes-closed, a statistically significant difference was observed only for the COPvel variable.

Table 3
COP variables analyses of the static and inter-group static postural control of older women with and without urinary incontinence with open and closed eyes

DISCUSSION

This study sought to compare static postural control (open and closed eyes) and the risk of falls in older women with UI and older women without UI. The UI interference in the static postural control of older women and in the risk of falls in this population was shown to be null. In addition, none of the COP parameters presented statistical significance in the intergroup analysis. However, older women with UI had, on average, a greater COP displacement compared to older women without UI group. In addition, a significant difference was found only for the COP oscillation velocity of the postural control in the intragroup analysis, under the eyes-open versus eyes-closed condition.

The intergroup and intragroup analysis in the eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions allowed to verify the influence of vision on the women’s postural control. When vision is impaired, postural instability increases and the body needs more activity from other postural control mechanisms to quickly compensate for vision loss1010. Shumway-cook A, Woollacott MH. Motor control: translating research into clinical practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.), (1111. Tomomitsu MSV, Alonso AC, Marimoto E, Bobbio TG, Greve JMD. Static and dynamic postural control in low-vision and normal-vision adults. Clinics. 2013;68:517-21. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2013(04)13
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2013(04)...
. Therefore, with eyes closed, the older women in this study had a significant difference in COPvel, that is, a greater difference in body mean velocity of oscillation than in body amplitude and area of displacement. However, the other COP variables presented no statistically significant difference. The difference in COPvel may have occurred due to the somatosensory system’s early adjustment mechanism, which allows body fast adjustments against disturbances that generate a greater COP displacement range1010. Shumway-cook A, Woollacott MH. Motor control: translating research into clinical practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.), (1111. Tomomitsu MSV, Alonso AC, Marimoto E, Bobbio TG, Greve JMD. Static and dynamic postural control in low-vision and normal-vision adults. Clinics. 2013;68:517-21. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2013(04)13
https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2013(04)...
.

Regarding the postural control comparison, some data may explain that the lack of difference between the groups with and without UI evaluated in this study. Most older women with UI had urine loss once a week or less, and all women reported losing a small amount of urine. In addition, most participants were classified as having moderate UI impact on daily living. In this regard, Kim et al. (2222. Kim JS, Kim SY, Oh DW, Choi JD. Correlation between the severity of female urinary incontinence and concomitant morbidities: a multi-center cross-sectional clinical study. Int Neurourol J. 2010;14:220-6. doi: 10.5213/inj.2010.14.4.220
https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2010.14.4.22...
identified that UI severity is related to maintaining balance and postural control. For these authors, older women have a decrease in the strength of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM), which interferes with lumbo-pelvic stability and changes postural control2222. Kim JS, Kim SY, Oh DW, Choi JD. Correlation between the severity of female urinary incontinence and concomitant morbidities: a multi-center cross-sectional clinical study. Int Neurourol J. 2010;14:220-6. doi: 10.5213/inj.2010.14.4.220
https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2010.14.4.22...
. This suggests that perhaps the weakness of PFMs could be a cause of greater COP displacement in the UI group. However, in this study, PFM functionality was ignored.

Comparing the number of pregnancies and deliveries between groups, the variables were not statistically significant. The higher number of pregnancies and births are possible risk factors for UI2323. Rocha J, Brandão P, Melo A, Torres S, Mota L, Costa F. Avaliação da incontinência urinária na gravidez e no pós-parto: estudo observacional. Acta Med Port. 2017;30(7-8):568-72. doi: 10.20344/amp.7371
https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.7371...
, however, although the pathophysiology involved is unknown, the increased intra-abdominal pressure on the bladder by the fetus during pregnancy and hormonal changes in women may lead to the weakening of the pelvic floor structures and predispose UI occurrence2424. Lin KL, Shen CJ, Wu MP, Long CY, Wu CH, Wang CL. Comparison of low urinary tract symptoms during pregnancy between primiparous and multiparous women. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014(303697):1-5. doi: 10.1155/2014/303697
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/303697...
), (2525. Tzur T, Yohai D, Weintraub AY. The role of local estrogen therapy in the management of pelvic floor disorders. Climacteric. 2016;19(2):162-71. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2015.1132199
https://doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2015.11...
. Thus, the increase in number of pregnancies and births progressively damages the PFM and intensifies urinary loss.

When analyzing the occurrence of previous falls and the risk of falls, no significant difference was found when comparing the study groups. In the literature, the association between UI and falls in older people is well reported77. Nelson PR, Irish KR, Cleary KK. A preliminary study on balance performance and fall status in older women with urinary incontinence. J Womens Health Phys Therap. 2015;39(3):102-8. doi: 10.1097/JWH.0000000000000036
https://doi.org/10.1097/JWH.000000000000...
)- (99. Vitorino LM, Teixeira CAB, Vilas Boas EL, Pereira RL, Santos NO, Rozendo CA. Fear of falling in older adults living at home: associated factors. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2017;51:e03215. doi: 10.1590/s1980-220x2016223703215
https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x201622...
. Possible causes involve extrinsic factors, such as the urgency to get to the bathroom at night88. Pahwa AK, Andy UU, Newman DK, Stambakio H, Schmitz KH, Arya LA. Nocturnal enuresis as a risk factor for falls in older community-dwelling women with urinary incontinence. J Urol. 2016;195(5): 1512-6. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2015.11.046
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2015.11.0...
and intrinsic factors such as the weakening of PFMs2424. Lin KL, Shen CJ, Wu MP, Long CY, Wu CH, Wang CL. Comparison of low urinary tract symptoms during pregnancy between primiparous and multiparous women. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014(303697):1-5. doi: 10.1155/2014/303697
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/303697...
. However, falls are likely consequences of several factors besides UI2626. Noguchi N, Chan L, Cumming RG, Blyth FM, Naganathan V. A systematic review of the association between lower urinary tract symptoms and falls, injuries, and fractures in community-dwelling older men. Aging Male. 2016;19:168-74. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2016.1169399
https://doi.org/10.3109/13685538.2016.11...
.

The eligibility criteria applied in this study increased the reality of the results by including only older women with preserved and functionally independent cognitive status, as well as excluding other factors that could interfere with postural control, such as neurological pathologies, labyrinth disorders and the use of orthoses or amputated limbs. However, the study had some limitations. Postural control evaluations without bladder filling control limited the comparison with other studies, since a full bladder seems to alter the postural control of incontinent women more1616. Chmielewska D, Staniae M, Slomka K, Blaszczak E, Taradaj J, Dolibog P. Static postural stability in women with stress urinary incontinence: effects of vision and bladder filling. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017;36(8):2019-27. doi: 10.1002/nau.23222
https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23222...
. In addition, this study included women with different UI types, which may have influenced the results, since different incontinence mechanisms may be involved besides PFM weakness77. Nelson PR, Irish KR, Cleary KK. A preliminary study on balance performance and fall status in older women with urinary incontinence. J Womens Health Phys Therap. 2015;39(3):102-8. doi: 10.1097/JWH.0000000000000036
https://doi.org/10.1097/JWH.000000000000...
), (88. Pahwa AK, Andy UU, Newman DK, Stambakio H, Schmitz KH, Arya LA. Nocturnal enuresis as a risk factor for falls in older community-dwelling women with urinary incontinence. J Urol. 2016;195(5): 1512-6. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2015.11.046
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2015.11.0...
. Another possible limitation of the study was the lack of PFM functionality evaluation, which could contribute to data analysis to identify PFM weaknesses severity.

CONCLUSION

In this study, no difference in static postural control and risk of falls in older women groups with and without UI was observed. However, under eyes-open versus eyes-closed conditions, both groups showed significant difference in COP displacement velocity. Further studies on the subject are recommended, such as bladder filling evaluation and PFM function, in order to obtain a better control of this variable on postural control.

REFERÊNCIAS

  • 1
    Abrams P, Cardizi L, Fall M, Griffths D, Rosier P, Ulmsten U, et al. The standardisation of the terminology of lower urinary tract function: report from the standardisation sub-committee of the International Continence Society. Neurourol Urodyn. 2002;21(2):167-78. doi: 10.1016/S0090-4295(02)02243-4
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/S0090-4295(02)02243-4
  • 2
    Saboia DM, Firmiano MLV, Bezerra KC, Vasconcelos NJA, Oriá MOB, Vasconcelos CTM. Impacto dos tipos de incontinência urinária na qualidade de vida de mulheres. Rev Esc Enferm. 2017;51(e03266):1-8. doi: 10.1590/s1980-220x2016032603266
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2016032603266
  • 3
    Jung HB, Kim HJ, Cho ST. A current perspective on geriatric lower urinary tract dysfunction. Korean J Urol. 2015;56:266-75. doi: 10.4111/kju.2015.56.4.266
    » https://doi.org/10.4111/kju.2015.56.4.266
  • 4
    Carvalho MP, Andrade FP, Peres W, Martinelli T, Simch F, Orcy, RB, et al. O impacto da incontinência urinária e seus fatores associados em idosas. Rev Bras Geriatr Gerontol. 2014;17(4):721-30. doi: 10.1590/1809-9823.2014.13135
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-9823.2014.13135
  • 5
    Abreu HCA, Reiners AAO, Azevedo RCS, Silva AMC, Abreu DROM. Urinary incontinence in the prediction of falls in hospitalized elderly. Rev Esc Enferm. 2014;48(5):851-6. doi: 10.1590/S0080-6234201400005000011
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/S0080-6234201400005000011
  • 6
    Gibson W, Hunter KF, Camicioli R, Booth J, Skelton DA, Dumoulin C, et al. The association between lower urinary tract symptoms and falls: forming a theoretical model for a research agenda. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017;9999:1-9. doi: 10.1002/nau.23295
    » https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23295
  • 7
    Nelson PR, Irish KR, Cleary KK. A preliminary study on balance performance and fall status in older women with urinary incontinence. J Womens Health Phys Therap. 2015;39(3):102-8. doi: 10.1097/JWH.0000000000000036
    » https://doi.org/10.1097/JWH.0000000000000036
  • 8
    Pahwa AK, Andy UU, Newman DK, Stambakio H, Schmitz KH, Arya LA. Nocturnal enuresis as a risk factor for falls in older community-dwelling women with urinary incontinence. J Urol. 2016;195(5): 1512-6. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2015.11.046
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2015.11.046
  • 9
    Vitorino LM, Teixeira CAB, Vilas Boas EL, Pereira RL, Santos NO, Rozendo CA. Fear of falling in older adults living at home: associated factors. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2017;51:e03215. doi: 10.1590/s1980-220x2016223703215
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-220x2016223703215
  • 10
    Shumway-cook A, Woollacott MH. Motor control: translating research into clinical practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2007.
  • 11
    Tomomitsu MSV, Alonso AC, Marimoto E, Bobbio TG, Greve JMD. Static and dynamic postural control in low-vision and normal-vision adults. Clinics. 2013;68:517-21. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2013(04)13
    » https://doi.org/10.6061/clinics/2013(04)13
  • 12
    Horiuchi K, Ishihara M, Imanaka K. The essential role of optical flow in the peripheral visual field for stable quiet standing: evidence from the use of a head-mounted display. PLoS One. 2017;12(10):e0184552. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184552
    » https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0184552
  • 13
    O'Connell C, Mahboobin A, Drexler S, Redfern MS, Perera S, Nau AC, et al. Effects of acute peripheral/central visual field loss on standing balance. Exp Brain Res. 2017;235(11):3261-70. doi: 10.1007/s00221-017-5045-x
    » https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-017-5045-x
  • 14
    Gerards MHG, McCrum C, Mansfield A, Meijer K. Perturbation-based balance training for falls reduction among older adults: current evidence and implications for clinical practice. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2017;17(12):2294-303. doi: 10.1111/ggi.13082
    » https://doi.org/10.1111/ggi.13082
  • 15
    Smith MD, Coppieters MW, Hodges PW. Is balance different in women with and without stress urinary incontinence? Neurourol Urodyn. 2008;27:71-8. doi: 10.1002/nau.20476
    » https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.20476
  • 16
    Chmielewska D, Staniae M, Slomka K, Blaszczak E, Taradaj J, Dolibog P. Static postural stability in women with stress urinary incontinence: effects of vision and bladder filling. Neurourol Urodyn. 2017;36(8):2019-27. doi: 10.1002/nau.23222
    » https://doi.org/10.1002/nau.23222
  • 17
    Folstein MF, Folstein SE, Mchugh PR. "Mini-mental state": a practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res. 1975;12:189-98. doi: 10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6
    » https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3956(75)90026-6
  • 18
    Katz S, Ford AB, Moskowitz RW, Jackson BA, Jaffe MW. Studies of illness in the aged: the index of ADL: a standardized measure of biological and psychosocial function. JAMA. 1963;12(185):914-9. doi: 10.1001/jama.1963.03060120024016
    » https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1963.03060120024016
  • 19
    Tamanini JTN, Dambros M, D'Ancona CAL, Palma PCR, Netto Júnior NR. Validação para o português do "International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form" (ICIQ-SF). Rev Saúde Pública. 2004;38(3):438-44. doi: 10.1590/S0034-89102004000300015
    » https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89102004000300015
  • 20
    Shumway-Cook A, Brauer S, Woollacott M. Predicting the probability for falls in community-dwelling older adults using the timed up & go test. Phys Ther. 2000;80(9):896-903.
  • 21
    Padilha JF, Braz MM, Seidel EJ, Porolnik S, Mota CB. Equilíbrio corporal estático e risco de queda em idosas com incontinência urinária de esforço. Fisioter Bras. 2014;12(4). doi: 10.33233/fb.v15i4
    » https://doi.org/10.33233/fb.v15i4
  • 22
    Kim JS, Kim SY, Oh DW, Choi JD. Correlation between the severity of female urinary incontinence and concomitant morbidities: a multi-center cross-sectional clinical study. Int Neurourol J. 2010;14:220-6. doi: 10.5213/inj.2010.14.4.220
    » https://doi.org/10.5213/inj.2010.14.4.220
  • 23
    Rocha J, Brandão P, Melo A, Torres S, Mota L, Costa F. Avaliação da incontinência urinária na gravidez e no pós-parto: estudo observacional. Acta Med Port. 2017;30(7-8):568-72. doi: 10.20344/amp.7371
    » https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.7371
  • 24
    Lin KL, Shen CJ, Wu MP, Long CY, Wu CH, Wang CL. Comparison of low urinary tract symptoms during pregnancy between primiparous and multiparous women. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014(303697):1-5. doi: 10.1155/2014/303697
    » https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/303697
  • 25
    Tzur T, Yohai D, Weintraub AY. The role of local estrogen therapy in the management of pelvic floor disorders. Climacteric. 2016;19(2):162-71. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2015.1132199
    » https://doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2015.1132199
  • 26
    Noguchi N, Chan L, Cumming RG, Blyth FM, Naganathan V. A systematic review of the association between lower urinary tract symptoms and falls, injuries, and fractures in community-dwelling older men. Aging Male. 2016;19:168-74. doi: 10.3109/13685538.2016.1169399
    » https://doi.org/10.3109/13685538.2016.1169399
  • Study developed at the Laboratory of Biomechanics (Labiomec) of the department of Physical Education of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) - Santa Maria (RS), Brazil.
  • Finance source: Programa de Bolsas de Iniciação Científica ou Auxílio à Pesquisa da Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas (Fipe) Sênior do Centro de Ciências da Saúde (CCS) of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM)
  • Approved by Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) nº 1.948.557.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    16 Sept 2019
  • Date of issue
    Jul-Sep 2019

History

  • Received
    03 July 2018
  • Accepted
    25 June 2019
Universidade de São Paulo Rua Ovídio Pires de Campos, 225 2° andar. , 05403-010 São Paulo SP / Brasil, Tel: 55 11 2661-7703, Fax 55 11 3743-7462 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revfisio@usp.br