title: Evaluation of stair climbing in elderly people.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stair climbing is an important but neglected aspect of independent living. Clinicians should pay attention to the ability to negotiate stairs in elderly and disabled patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the effects of age, gender, medication use, cognitive status, lower extremity pathology and pain on the activities of stair negotiation in the elderly population in Turkish society.
  
  
  METHODS
  Volunteer elderly people (254) were included the study. Participants were assessed in terms of their medication use, cognitive status, lower extremity pathology and pain and the activity of climbing the stairs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found on the activities of stair negotiation between the elderly with and without lower extremity pathology, with and without lower extremity pain, with and without medication use (p< 0.05). A positive and moderate correlation was found between age and the activity of stair climbing (r= 0.24, p< 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Activity of stair climbing is affected by age, medication use, the presence of lower extremity pathology and pain. We consider that this information will be helpful for planning an appropriate and effective rehabilitation programme for elderly people for decreasing their risk of falling and increasing their independence level during their activities of daily living.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Research and Training Hospital, Bahçelievler, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Rüstem
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mustafaoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Physiotherapy, School of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bayram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Unver
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Vasfi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Karatosun
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Aging; activities of daily living; lower extremity; stair negotiation