Prevalencia de rigidez articular y factores asociados en los adultos mayores de la ciudad de Cuenca. Estudio multicéntrico. 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND: in Ecuador the percentage of older adults in the year 2017 was 6.5%, by 2050 it will represent 18% of the total population, with an average life expectancy of approximately 76 years. The lack of flexibility affects the daily activities of older adults, decreases their quality of life and their relationship with the social environment.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE: to determine the prevalence of joint stiffness and associated factors in the elderly of the city of Cuenca, 2018.

METHODOLOGY: a prospective cross-sectional analytical study was carried out, with 160 elderly people from the geriatric centers of the city of Cuenca. A flexibility test was applied, including the battery for the senior fitness test (SFT), to assess the degree of joint stiffness. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 15. Frequency, dispersion, bivariate analysis (OR, IC, P-value and multivariate) and binary logistic regression (multivariate analysis) were taken.

RESULTS: Women (74.4%) and subjects 65 to 79 years (60.6%) predominated in the study. The most common pathological antecedent was Arthrosis, followed by Arthritis, Diabetes mellitus and some level of Depression. As for physical activity, assets are only less than one fifth. Independent people predominated for their daily activities.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of stiffness was 40.6% in lower limbs and 70.6% in lower limbs. Osteoarthritis in the upper limbs and low physical activity were the most important risk factors for stiffness.