Factors associated with functional balance and mobility among elderly diabetic outpatients.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize balance and mobility among diabetic elderly outpatients and to estimate the extent to which functional balance and mobility abnormalities can be influenced by sociodemographic, clinical and other functional factors in a cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Ninety-one elderly (65+ years) outpatients were assessed. Mobility was evaluated by the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) and the balance, by the Berg Balance Scale (BS).


RESULTS
TUGT mean score was 15.65 +/- 5.9 seconds and BS mean score was 49.31 +/- 7.3 points. Using linear regression analysis (alpha < 0.05), significant and independent positive relationships were obtained between TUGT and age, daily activities (ADL/IADL), step strategy, and proprioceptive sensitivity. Factors negatively associated with BS were: ADL/IADL, step strategy, proprioceptive sensitivity, orthostatic hypotension (OH) and conflictive sensory conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly diabetic outpatients show abnormal balance and mobility related mainly to advanced age, disability, absence of step strategy, absence of proprioceptive sensitivity and presence of OH.
Cordeiro
Renata Cereda
RC
Setor de Reabilitação Gerontológica do Lar Escola São Francisco, Centro de Reabilitação, Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua dos Açores 310, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. renata.cereda@unifesp.br
Jardim
José Roberto
JR
Perracini
Monica Rodrigues
MR
Ramos
Luiz Roberto
LR
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010045:Outpatients; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors