TITLE:
Evaluation of the Functional Capacity of a Group of Patients Aged over 65 Years: A Cross-Sectional Study at the Yaoundé Central Hospital
AUTHORS:
Ndobo-Koe Valérie, Nganou-Gnindjio Chris Nadège, Kemnang Yemele Honoré, Biatu Nestor, Ba Hamadou, Kingué Samuel
KEYWORDS:
Functional Capacity, Elderly, Physical Activity, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
21,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: The functional capacity of elderly patients decreases with age due to a combination of age-related decline in physiologic functions and chronic diseases. A severe decrease leads to an inability to carry out activities of dailyliving leading to a loss ofautonomy and increased dependence. The aim ofthis study was to evaluate the functional capacity of the elderly followed at theYaoundé Central Hospital. Methods: We carried out a non-probabilistic consecutive sampling of elderly patients that consulted in Yaoundé Central Hospital during a five-month’ period. Data was taken concerning their chronic conditions, use of medication, and presence of depressive symptoms (evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) questionnaire). The presence of any cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Cardiac ultrasonography and electrocardiograms were done to evaluate the cardiac morphology and physiology. Their functional capacity was assessed with the WHO Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the six-minute walk test. A self-paced step test was equally done to estimate themaximum oxygen consumption during aerobic exercise. We carried out aunivariate, and then multivariate analyses to identify factors associated withan altered functional status. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSSsoftware 23.0. The threshold of significance was set at 0.05. Results: 66participants were included (35 women) with a median age of 70 (IQR: 67 - 75)years. Among them, 39.4% were found to have an altered functional capacity, about87.8% had at least one chronic condition and 47% had two or more. Themost prevalent chronic condition was hypertension (71.2%) followed by heartfailure (24.2%) and osteoarthritis (12.1%). Mild depressive symptoms werepresent in 1.5% of our study population. The factors associated withan altered functional capacity includeage ≥ 75 years (OR = 2.9 p heart failure (OR: 3.2, p ), osteoarthritis (OR: 5.1, p ), and poor gait and balance (OR: 3.7, p ). Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of altered functional capacity among elderly patients consulting at the Yaoundé Central Hospital. Heart failure, osteoarthritis, and an increased risk of falls are associated with an altered functional capacity.