Falls in Elderly with Plantar Changes
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2014, Vol 4, Issue 34
Abstract
Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of falls among older people with plantar changes in order to preserve their autonomy and independence. Study Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study was conducted based on a sample of elderly people. Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the Federal University of Sao Paulo/UNIFESP - Brazil, between March, 2007 and December, 2008. Methodology: The study sample consisted of 100 elderly people of both genders, aged ≥ 60 years. After patients were included in the study, are search protocol was applied with the following information: demographic data (age, gender, race, marital status, housing, and education) and anthropometric data (height, weight, and body mass index (BMI)). Results: The foot types and major injuries were: 83% had valgus feet, 52% had flat feet, 64% had skin lesions, 63% had lesions, and 53% had toenail deformities. Regarding the number of falls in the previous year, 40% did not report having fallen, 44% fell at least once, and 16% fell two or more times. The frequency of falls among older people with plantar changes in the present study (60%) was relatively higher than in other studies. About half of the general population will be affected by a change in the foot, and the incidence and severity increase with age. Conclusion: Plantar changes were common among the elderly in this study and can directly affect the balance and gait cycle and, therefore, may be a contributing factor to functional disability and falls in the geriatric population.
Authors and Affiliations
Prato Sabrina Canhada Ferrari, Santos Fânia Cristina, Trevisani Virginia Fernandes Moça
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP348894
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2014/10882
- Views 54
- Downloads 0
Literacy about Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Primary School Teachers in Lagos, Nigeria
Aim: Teachers have important roles in the identification, referral and management of school children with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, their ability to play these roles is contingent on their...
Criticisms of the ‘Lecture’ Method in the Teaching of Nursing Students: The Case of Nurse Tutors in Bamenda, Cameroon
Introduction: The lecture method is used by most teachers in educational institutions such as the Nurse Training Schools in Bamenda. The lecture method of teaching remains the most common or dominating teaching method in...
Trapped after Coming Buttocks: A Consequence of Sacrococcygeal Teratoma: A Case Report
Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the commonest fetal tumour but a rare cause of obstructed labour. If undiagnosed during antenatal period, high index of suspicion is required during labour to make a diagnosis. In this ca...
The Renal Ultrasound in Patients with Acute Kidney Injury
Aims: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is seen in 15% of hospitalized patients and a renal ultrasound (RUS) is often ordered to exclude an obstructive cause in the initial evaluation of AKI. This study was done to evaluate the...
Is Childhood Ocular Trauma More Often in Families with Low Socio-economic Level?
Aim: To examine whether socioeconomic status as determined by the number of siblings, educational level, and monthly household income is associated with childhood eye injuries. Materials and Methods: Eighty six patients...