Associação entre deficiência de vitamina D e capacidade funcional em pessoas idosas alagoanas

Abstract

Aging changes such as decreased visual and hearing acuity, nutritional changes, less physical activity, the emergence of chronic non-communicable diseases and the use of medications may be related to decreased functional capacity in elderly people. Furthermore, vitamin D deficiency, considered a public health problem and highly prevalent in elderly people, also appears to contribute to functional disability. It is known that this micronutrient influences the integrity of components of the musculoskeletal system and central nervous system, closely related to functional aspects. However, there are still controversial results when analyzing the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and functional disability. Aiming to contribute to the discussion of the problem, this dissertation is structured into three sections, namely: presentation, literature review chapter and chapter composed of an original scientific article. The original article entitled “VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY PREDICTS FUNCTIONAL DISABILITY IN COMMUNITY ELDERLY PEOPLE” aiming to evaluate the association between vitamin D deficiency and functional disability, with calf circumference and muscle mass as covariates of this association. of a cross-sectional study, carried out in the state of Alagoas, which included elderly people of both sexes and community residents, participants in a macro project, with non-probabilistic convenience sampling. All participants who had 25- hydroxyvitamin D tests were included in the study. Functional capacity was assessed using KATZ scale scores that assess independence in carrying out basic activities of daily living. Muscle mass was assessed by electrical bioimpedance and the adequacy of muscle reserve by calf circumference. The sample consisted of 470 individuals, with a mean age of 70.9 ± 8.09 years, the majority of whom were women (69.8%; n=328). 33.8% of individuals had inadequate calf circumference (n=159). The median (IIQ) muscle mass of the group was 40.1kg (± 9.6). Vitamin D deficiency was present in 12.6% (n=59) of the sample and 19% (n=89) had functional disability. Vitamin D deficiency was a predictor of functional disability OR above 2.0 in all regression models analyzed. Vitamin D deficiency predicts functional disability in elderly people, even when adjusted for muscle mass markers.