European Geriatric Medicine - Supplement 1 - Volume 7 - October 2016

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P-606
Identification of risk factors for falling in the elderly and
development of a multifactorial fall risk assessment tool
M. Rolinho 1, A. Rama1,2. 1Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de
Coimbra, 2CEIS20, Centro de Estudos Interdisciplinares do Século XX,
Coimbra, Portugal
Introduction: Risk of falling among elderly and its connection to
morbidity/mortality is a fact that already represents the second cause
of death by injury worldwide. Its prevalence and increasing incidence,
demonstrates that the recognition of falls in elderly as a Public Health
problem and the development of programs and tools that allow its
prevention are essential and urgent.
Objective: To identify risk factors related to the characteristics of
elderly population, the prevalent chronic diseases and associated
pharmacotherapy, with the ultimate goal of creating a multifactorial
fall risk assessment tool.
Methods: We performed a literature review on falls prevention in
elderly, identifying the most relevant risk factors and potential
pharmacotherapeutic groups that propitiate the occurrence of falls.
The information obtained, served to create a questionnaire that
assesses the risk of falling, to be applied in a pilot study between May
23rd and June 23rd, in polymedicated individuals with 65 years and
over.
Results: The literature analysis enabled to create a questionnaire to be
used by pharmacists, which evaluates the individual characteristics as
comorbidities balance and mobility problems, as well as home
hazards. The questionnaire also allows assessing pharmacotherapeutic
profile to identify use of high risk medication such as antidepressants,
antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and others.
Conclusion: We conclude that a proper assessment can help to
identify elderly with high fall risk and the underlying causes, allowing
to reduce their negative impact. The questionnaire it’ s being
implemented, with ongoing data collection by the end of June. In
October the final results will be presented.
P-607
Effects of samba dance on the postural balance and muscle
strength in Brazilian elderly women
M.M. Serra, A.C. Alonso, M. Peterson, L. Mochizuki, J.M.D. Greve, L.
E. Garcez-Leme. Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, School of
Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Despite its popularity, previous studies on samba have dealt more
with the cultural and social aspects of the dance, without assessing
the impact of this activity on the dancers’ health and functional
outcomes. However, considering the growth of the aging
population, and the increasing risk for falls and related morbidity, it
is vital to seek efficient, comprehensive, and culturally-relevant
prevention programs for elderly people to reduce risks. The aim of
the study was to evaluate the effect of samba on postural balance and
muscle strength among women participating in the “Wing of Baianas ”
in the carnival parades.
Methods: One hundred and ten women, with an average age of
67.4 ± 5.9 years, were divided into two groups: Baianas Group – elderly
participants of the carnival parades in the “Wing of Baianas”, and a
control group of women who not dance samba. Assessments included
a physical activity questionnaire, isokinetic muscle strength testing for
the knee extensors and flexors, and a postural balance assessment
completed on a force platform.
Results: There were no differences between groups, for postural
balance outcomes, during the eyes open condition; however, with
eyes closed, there was a significant effect between groups (Bahia vs
control) in all variables. The Baianas Group showed less mediolateral
displacement [p = 0.04]; and anteroposterior displacement [p <
0.007]; larger amplitudes of mediolateral displacement [p < 0.001];
and anteroposterior displacement [p < 0.001]; increased mean vel-
ocity [p < 0.01]; and elliptical area [p < 0.01] There were no differences
in the isokinetic peak torque corrected by body weight, total work and
flexor/extensor ratio.
Conclusion: Participation in the Wing of Baianas is associated with
better balancewith closed eyes, but therewere no differences between
dancers and non-dancers for muscle strength.
P-608
Longevity challenge: case series of elderly patients over 90 years
hospitalized in internal medicine services
I. Silva1, M. Faria 1, S. Rodrigues1, A. Boquinhas1. 1Hospital de Cascais
Dr. José de Almeida, Cascais, Portugal
Introduction: According to Eurostat® data (2015), Portugal has a high
aging index (133.5‰), this is reflected in the admissions of Internal
Medicine Services (IMS). It is imperative that health professionals are
capable of dealing with the idiosyncrasies and needs of the elderly
patient. Our main goal is to characterize the elderly over 90 years
admitted to the IMS.
Methods: A retrospective and descriptive analysis of the elderly over
90 years old admitted to the IMS in the fourth quarter of 2014. We
evaluated demographic characteristics, degree of functional depend-
ence, personal history, in-hospital mortality, average hospitalization
time and destination of clinical discharge.
Results: The sample (n = 118) accounted for 12% of total admissions in
the IMS in that period. Most (67.8%) of the elderly are women with a
mean age of 92.9 years old. On average, the elderly were treated in
an outpatient setting with 7 drugs. It is shown based on the Barthel
Index that most of them had a degree of total dependence. The most
prevalent co-morbidities were hypertension (71.2%), heart failure
(45.8%), dementia (35.6%) and coronary heart disease (30.5%). The
observed mortality rate was 28.8%.
Conclusions: According to the statistical characteristics found in this
descriptive study, it has become necessary to reflect on the adequacy of
clinical practice on the elderly needs. It is crucial to continue the
exercise of awareness of health professionals for the challenges posed
by increasing longevity.
P-609
The effect of a fall prevention exercise programme on fear of falling
in the elderly
A. Ferreira1, P. Chaves2, D. Simões2,3 . 1Santa Casa da Misericórdia de
Santo Tirso, Santo Tirso, 2Department of Physiotherapy, CESPU, Vila Nova
de Famalicão, 3EPIUnit – Institute of Public Health, University of Porto,
Porto, Portugal
Objectives: Increased fear of falling has been associated with
increased fall risk, reduced physical activity, and impaired physical
function in the elderly. The aim of this study was to analyse the
immediate effect of a fall prevention exercise programme on fear of
falling in a community sample of elderly Portuguese.
Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed. Twenty-eight
volunteers (64.3% female, mean 69.8 years of age ±5.5) were
randomly allocated to control (n = 14) and exercise group (n = 14).
Fear of falling was evaluated before and after the intervention using
Fall Efficacy Scale (FES), a validated and standardized tool. The study
intervention consisted of an 8-week fall prevention exercise pro-
gramme (2 sessions each week, each lasting 60 min). Data were
analysed with a two groups x two-evaluation moments repeated-
measure ANOVA (IC 95%).
Results: FES score in the exercise group had an increase of 11.8 points
±4.0, suggesting greater confidence during activities of daily living
and less fear of falling. We found a significant interaction between
interventions and evaluation moments (p < 0.001). Statistically sig-
nificant differences were found between evaluation moments (p <
0.001) and between groups (p = 0.035).
Conclusion: The results suggest that fall prevention exercise pro-
grammes can be an effective intervention to improve confidence
during activities of daily living and reduce fear of falling in the elderly.
Poster presentations / European Geriatric Medicine 7S1 (2016) S29–S259 S189