Fear of falling associated with sociodemographic and lifestyle variables and clinical conditions in elderly people registered with the Family Health Strategy in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the prevalence of fear of falling among the elderly and its association with sociodemographic and lifestyle variables, morbidities, balance, mobility and a history of falls (HF).

Method:

A cross-sectional study was performed in nine family health units in the southern district of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul. An interview was conducted to obtain data relating to the sociodemographic and clinical variables and the history of falls. The Falls Efficacy Scale-International-Brazil (FES-I-Brazil) and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test were also applied. Statistical analysis was performed using the Pearson linear correlation test (FES-I-Brazil related to TUG score), the Student's t-test (FES-I-Brazil related to lifestyle, comorbidities and HF) and ANOVA one way, followed by Tukey post-hoc (FES-I-Brazil related to HF and TUG score).

Results:

Two hundred and one elderly persons with an average age of 70.85 (±7.72) years were included. On the FES-I-Brazil scale, the overall score was 28.80 (±0.82) points. The average TUG time was 12.00 (±0.57) seconds. There was a significant positive linear correlation between the FES-I-Brazil score and the TUG time (p<0.001) and the variables of gender (p=0.008), hypertension (p=0.002), FH (p=0.005) and frequency of falls (p=0.011).

Conclusion:

There is a high frequency of fear of falling among the studied population, as the majority reported fear of falling in at least one of the sixteen FES-I-Brazil tasks. Such fear was significantly associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, history of falls, perception of always suffering falls and low scores for mobility and balance.

Key words:
Health of the Elderly; Accidental Falls; Public Health