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[Gait impairment in the oldest old]
B R Bloem1, I Boers, A M Lagaay
1Afdeling Neurologie, Academisch Ziekenhuis, Leiden.
Tijdschrift Voor Gerontologie En Geriatrie
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Many elderly individuals over 88 experience gait issues, with some showing ataxic features unrelated to specific diseases, potentially indicating an idiopathic senile gait disorder. However, a notable percentage maintain normal gait, highlighting the diversity in aging populations.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Biomechanics
Context:
- Investigated gait patterns in a healthy, non-institutionalized subgroup of octogenarians and nonagenarians (85+ years).
- Utilized a standardized questionnaire and gait assessment on 142 elderly responders from Leiden.
Purpose:
- To evaluate senile gait patterns and identify causes of gait impairment in very old adults.
- To determine the prevalence of normal gait, disease-related gait issues, and idiopathic gait disorders.
Summary:
- 61% of responders cited distinct diseases for gait impairment.
- 18% exhibited completely normal gait.
- 10% presented with ataxic gait abnormalities, potentially representing an idiopathic senile gait disorder.
Impact:
- Highlights that significant gait disturbance in the elderly may be idiopathic, not solely disease-related.
- Suggests a need for further research into the underlying causes of idiopathic senile gait disorder.
- Demonstrates that a considerable proportion of very old community residents maintain normal gait.