Relationship between fear of falling and cognitive function in community-dwelling elderly adults

Abstract

Methods: Observational cross-sectional analytical study with healthy school students aged 6 to 14 years old from educational institutions in the Greater Florianopolis/SC-Brazil. Biometric data were evaluated (weight, height, body mass index, and body surface area) as predictors and for sample characterization. All participants were submitted for consideration of the respiratory mechanics with the Jaeger impulse oscillometer following ATS standards, with 3 exams on record (data acquisition for at least 20 seconds). For data normality verification the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test and Pearson correlation test were applied identifying the relationship between height, age and weight predicted variables, and oscillometric variation of resistance in 5 and 20 hertz (R5 and R20), reactance (X 5), the respiratory impedance 5 hertz (Z5), resonance frequency (fresh) and resistance area (AX). Models were developed through simple linear regression and multiple analyses. Results: After the recruitment of 864 healthy children, 123 subjects with an average age of 10.02± 2.41 years for boys and 9.98± 2.48 years for girls (p= .94) were considered for final analysis. Correlations were identified between oscillometric dependent and predictor variables, height being considered with greater predictive power in the equations developed for boys in all oscillometric parameters, within an average value of R2 = 55.8%. Age had greater influence on para. Conclusion(s): Reference equations were developed for females and males, considering height as the most influential predictor variable on most IOS parameters in the infant population studied. Implications: Considering the importance of knowledge of pulmonary function and respiratory mechanics in childhood, equations/reference values of the available evaluation methods enable comparisons between healthy children and those who have some respiratory dysfunction.