Funcionalidade e quedas em pessoas idosas com e sem doença de Parkinson

Objective: To analyze the functionality and prevalence of falls in elderly people with and without Parkinson's disease (PD). Method: Observational, cross-sectional, quantitative study. Older people with and without PD living in Recife-PE were studied. Sociodemographic data, history of falls, cognitive and mood status were collected using questionnaires. The following tests were used to assess functionality: Timed Up and Go (TUG), Sit and Stand Test, Gait Speed, Step Test and Handgrip Test. Results: The sample consisted of 81 older people, 31 of whom had PD. Of these, 48% of the elderly with PD (PDG) reported falls, while 38% of those without PD (WPDG) also suffered falls. The PDG performed worse in the functional tests, with a longer time to complete the TUG (14.8 seconds) and a lower gait speed (1.1 m\/s) compared to the elderly without PD (10.3 seconds in the TUG and 1.4 m\/s in gait speed). Compared with the non-falling elderly (CG), the elderly in the groups who fell (PDG and WPDG) had worse functional indicators, with more pronounced impairment in the PDG. Conclusion: The prevalence of falls in both groups was high. Older people fallers had worse performance on the TUG and lower gait speed, reinforcing the relationship between falls and functional decline. PD aggravates this condition, making this population more vulnerable and highlighting the need for specific prevention and management strategies.