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Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2016; 20(03): 235-240
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1570313
Original Research
Thieme Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Quality of Life and Gait in Elderly Group

Carlos Kazuo Taguchi
1   Audiology Department, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Jacqueline Pitanga Teixeira
2   Statistics Department, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Lucas Vieira Alves
2   Statistics Department, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Priscila Feliciano Oliveira
2   Statistics Department, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil
,
Oscar Felipe Falcão Raposo
2   Statistics Department, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, São Cristovão, Sergipe, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

18 June 2015

28 September 2015

Publication Date:
15 December 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction The process of aging could lead to seniors being more prone to falls, which affects their quality of life.

Objective The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between quality of life and gait in the elderly.

Methods We used World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-Brief) Brazilian version and the Dynamic Gait Index to assess fifty-six volunteers from the northeast of Brazil. Ages ranged from 60 to 85 years.

Results The Dynamic Gait Index, which indicates the probability of falls, resulted in 36.3% of the sample presenting abnormal results. There was correlation between domain 2 (psychological) and domain 4 (environment) with domain 1(Physical) and domain 3 (Social); a negative correlation between age and Domain 2; correlation between Question 1 (How would you rate your quality of life?) and domains 1, 2, and 4 and no correlation between questions 1 and 2 (How satisfied are you with your health?). Question 2 was correlated with all of the domains. There was negative association between question 1 and falls, and a slight correlation between the Dynamic Gait Index scores and Question 1.

Conclusion The self-perception of the study group about their quality of life was either good or very good, even though a considerable percentage of individuals had suffered falls or reported gait disturbances.

Keywords

aged - gait - postural balance - accidental falls
 

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