Dados do Trabalho

Título

DOES INSOMNIA ASSOCIATES TO THE RISK OF FALLING IN ELDERLY? - A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Introdução

According to the World Health Organization, 30% of aged (> 65 years old) people and 50% of those above 80 years old, report falling at least once a year. Yet, prevalence of poor sleep quality among aged population varies from 33% to 73%, with insomnia prevailing on 13% to 30% of the same age-group. Insomnia is related to excessive daytime sleepiness, worse physical and cognitive function, difficult concentration, and slower motor reflexes response rates, contributing to an increased risk of falling.

Objetivo

To evaluate the association between insomnia and the risk of falling in elderly (people aged 65 years and older).

Métodos

This is a systematic review (PRISMA 2020). For the research strategy, the descriptors “insomnia”, “falls” and “elderly” were used. Inclusion criteria: cross-sectional and longitudinal studies; elderly aged > 65 years, of both sexes; studies that involved older people diagnosed with insomnia and the evaluation of the occurrence of falls in this population. Exclusion criteria: studies involving animals; reviews; letters; abstracts; Congress proceedings.

Resultados

A total of 4.574 articles were found in the electronic databases and manual research. Nine studies were selected according to the eligibility criteria, with the following results: 1. Insomnia and its symptoms were associated with an increased risk of falling. 2. Older people with insomnia have 78.7% more risk of falling (RR = 1.787, 95% CI = 1.106–2.887) than those without such disturbance. 3. The use of benzodiazepines in patients without insomnia and as an insomnia treatment were independently associated with an increased risk of falls in the older population by 27% (OR 1.27 (1.08–1.49)) and 54% (OR 1.54 (1.21–1.97)), respectively. 4. Insomnia symptoms, such as difficulty falling asleep and difficulty staying asleep throughout the night, were related to the increased number of falls, respectively 53% (OR 1.53 95% CI = 1.04 – 2.24) and 64% (OR 1.64 95% CI = 1.11 - 2.42).

Conclusões

Results from this study relying on a systematic review indicate insomnia as a risk factor of falling among elderly. Further, benzodiazepines may also independently contribute to such risk. These results have significant clinical relevance both for diagnosis and therapeutic.

Palavras -chave

Insomnia. Falls. Elderly