Valores de referência da velocidade de marcha de uma população idosa com características cognitivas e funcionais de envelhecimento bem-sucedido

Abstract

The gait results from rhythmic and coordinated movements, requiring proper interaction of multiple systems of the human body. Considered a functional reserve marker, analysis of gait speed (GS) is considered as a sixth vital sign. It is a simple method and can be used both in research and in different assistance scenarios, either isolated or as part of diagnostic algorithms. It is able to detect the vulnerable elder because of its known correlation with negative health outcomes, such as falls, hospitalization, institutionalization and even death. It is also useful for longitudinal monitoring once it is dynamic and could be improved with intervention measures. The scientific community knows that regional issues such as socioeconomic, ethnic, phenotypic and cultural could influence the results of GS. Until the present moment, in Brazil, studies in this area are scarce and the appropriate GS cutoff points have not been defined for the Brazilian population. The purpose of the present study was to fill this gap and to estimate reference values for GS in Brazilian elderly with successful aging (SA). It was included data from 7609 volunteers, aged 65 and over, of both genders, from sixteen Brazilian cities, included in the Frailty in Brazilian older people Study (Rede Fibra-BR). Individuals with absence of SA and those with missing data were excluded. The 5th, 10th, 20th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentiles of GS were determined, stratified by sex, age, and height. After the exclusions, 3218 individuals were analyzed, being 62.6% women. The mean age was 71.8 (±5.3) years and height was 1.59 (±0.1) meters. Most participants were up to 75 years old (72.8%), caucasian (53.8%) and married or living with a companion (53.4%). Regarding clinical data, most of them were neither alcoholic (69.4%) nor smoker (90.6%) and had one or two comorbidities (53.1%). The mean of GS was 0.99 (±0.26) m/s (1.06 (±0.28) m/s in males and 0.96 (±0.25) m/s in females). Results were higher in males, regardless of age group, with progressive decrease with advancing age. Aligned with international literature, the multiple regression analysis showed that age, height and gender were determinants of GS, accounting for 8.6% of this variable. Although this is a cross-sectional research, it is an innovative study and it is possible to be used for screening vulnerable elderly and to monitor their function assessment. However, it is emphasized that longitudinal research is required to validate the presented values.