Yaşlı Bireylerde Düşük Yürüme Hızını Etkileyen Faktörler

Background: Slow gait speed is an important problem in older adults and can be affected by many factors. Objectives: Aims of this study are to compare the all participants, performed comprehensive geiratric assessment (CGA), in terms of gait speed and determine the factors affecting slow walking speed in elderly. Methods: In the cross-sectional and observational study, 311 older patients who applied to our geriatric clinics were assessed between 2017 and 2019. All patients underwent CGA. Gait speed was measured by 4-meter walking test. Results Of 311 patients, 71.4% were female and mean age of the participants was 75.37±7.58. The frequencies of urinary incontinence, congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis, dementia, orthostatic hypotension and polypharmacy were higher in patients with slower gait speed (p<.05). While activities of Daily Living (ADL), nutritional assessment, Mini-mental State Examination scores were lower, geriatric depression score (GDS) was higher in patients with slower gait speed than normal gait speed (p<.05). When logistic regression analysis was perfomed adjusted as age, gender and education years, slow gait speed was associated with urinary incontinence, the presence of dementia, higher GDS score, impairment of ADLs and lower nutritional assessment score (p<.05). Conclusion: Slow gait speed may increase some geriatric syndromes. Assesment of gait speed is important in geriatric practice. Gait speed should be considered as a significant component of CGA.