Polifarmácia e alterações do equilíbrio estático em pessoas idosas

Abstract

The objective of this dissertation was to evaluate the epidemiological profile of the elderly population, drug consumption, polypharmacy rate and its associations with falls and static balance alterations through baropodometric analysis. The population of this study is composed of elderly participants of groups living in the city of Passo Fundo/RS. The study is cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical. The sample consisted of 245 people who answered a questionnaire containing twenty questions by direct anamnesis. In this stage, the profile of the interviewees was analyzed and the prevalence rates of noncommunicable chronic diseases were analyzed, divided into three groups according to the consumption of drugs: G1 (non-polypharmacy) that consume up to four drugs, G2 (polypharmacy) from five to nine medicines and G3 (excessive polypharmacy) ten or more drugs. The results of the three groups were compared with the results of baropodometric evaluation in standing with closed eyes and open eyes. Of the 245 individuals, the mean age was 71.4 years, 89% were females, the most frequent morbidities were hypertension (71.4%), dyslipidemia (48.2%), diabetes (21, 6% of individuals) and other heart diseases (20.8% of individuals). The antecedent of fall was present in 62% of the individuals. The rate of drug consumption in the G1 group was 46.1%, the G2 group was 45.7% and the G3 group was 8.2%. Therefore, 53.9% of the participants consumed five or more drugs. The chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used for data analysis. There was a significant association of the antecedent of fall with female, age over 70 years, physical exercise less than three times a week, polypharmacy, benzodiazepines, use of drugs for cardiovascular system, nervous system, digestive system and metabolism. The consumption of five or more drugs is associated with age over 70, falls, benzodiazepines, medications for cardiovascular system, nervous system, respiratory system, digestive tract and metabolism. The use of substance for digestive tract and metabolism is associated with age greater than 70 years. The level of significance used in the tests was p ≤ 0.05. There was no association of the number of drugs consumed with oscillations when standing with open or closed eyes. It is concluded that despite the high consumption of drugs and the association of polypharmacy with the fall the same can occur for another reason than the changes in the static balance.