INTRODUCTION: By the age of 65, every driver holding a valid driving license is required to undergo a compulsory medical examination according to Act 361/2000 Coll. The purpose of the examination should be to examine not only physical, but also psychosocial and cognitive factors that can affect the ability to drive safely. However, the extension of the validity of a driving license may have a considerable impact on the preservation of the existing self-sufficiency. GOALS: To determine the relationship of anamnestic data on the state of driving a motor vehicle with the state of cognitive functions. As a secondary goal, the work asks whether there is a correlation between the results of the Montreal cognitive test (MoCA-CZ1) with newly created memory screening tests (POBAV, ALBA and DOZNAT). METHODOLOGY: The research was based on a qualitative examination of the 39 drivers older than 65 years. Drivers were assessed by the state of cognitive function according to the Montreal Cognitive Test, and were then examined by "new short cognitive tests" targeting different types of memory. Finally, the participants filled out the questionnaire on subjective evaluation of driving skills. RESULTS: Dependence was found between the driving frequency and the groups of drivers with cognitive impairment and...

Originalmente, o termo sarcopenia foi definido como a diminuição da massa muscular relacionada ao envelhecimento. Ao longo da última década, tornou-se um termo mais abrangente reunindo a redução da força muscular (dinapenia) à redução da massa muscular. Em 2010, o European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), no intuito de promover melhor a identificação e o tratamento de sarcopenia, sugere, em consenso, que a mesma seja reconhecida como uma síndrome geriátrica. Dessa forma, recomenda o diagnóstico baseado na redução da massa muscular, obrigatoriamente associada à redução da força muscular e do desempenho físico. Entretanto, poucos são os estudos que estimaram a prevalência de sarcopenia em idosos usando o consenso do EWGSOP e nenhum realizou essa estimativa na América Latina. Além disso, esse conceito não foi analisado como fator de risco para incidência de incapacidade e, em populações com mais de 60 anos, como fator de risco para óbito. Contudo, dada as divergências conceituais entre sarcopenia e dinapenia, nenhum estudo comparou os resultados desses dois conceitos para os desfechos supracitados. Essa tese apresenta três artigos: O primeiro analisou a prevalência e os fatores associados à sarcopenia em idosos residentes no Município de São Paulo. A prevalência de sarcopenia encontrada foi de 15,4 por cento (16,1 por cento em mulheres e 14,4 por cento em homens). Idade avançada, prejuízo cognitivo, baixa renda, fumo, desnutrição e risco de desnutrição (p<0,05) foram fatores associados à sarcopenia. O segundo artigo comparou a associação da sarcopenia e da dinapenia com a incidência de incapacidade em mobilidade ou atividades instrumentais de vida diária e com incapacidade em atividades básicas e instrumentais de vida diária, organizadas num modelo conceitual hierárquico. A sarcopenia foi associada à incapacidade em mobilidade ou atividades instrumentais de vida diária (razão de risco relativo = 2,38, IC 95 por cento 1,10 5,17) enquanto a dinapenia não foi associada à incapacidade. O terceiro artigo comparou a associação da sarcopenia e da dinapenia com mortalidade. Tanto a sarcopenia (hazzard ratio = 1,52, IC 95 por cento 1,06 2,19) quanto a dinapenia (hazzard ratio = 2,04, IC 95 por cento 1,24 3,37) foram fatores de risco independentes para óbito. Contudo, a sarcopenia pode ser usada como instrumento de screening em Saúde Pública para identificar idosos sob-risco de desenvolver tipos prematuros de incapacidade e em condições clínicas que possam aumentar o risco de óbito / Originally, the sarcopenia term was defined as a decrease in muscle mass related to aging. Over the last decade, it became a broader term gathering reduced muscular strength (dynapenia) and reduced muscle mass. In 2010, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) in order to improve the identification and treatment of sarcopenia suggests, in consensus, that it be recognized as a geriatric syndrome. This way, recommends the diagnosis based on low muscle mass, necessarily associated with low muscle strength and low physical performance. However, few studies have estimated the prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly using the EWGSOP definition and none made this estimation in Latin America. Furthermore, this concept was not analyzed as a risk factor for incidence of disability and, in people over 60 years, as a risk factor for death. However, given the conceptual divergences between sarcopenia and dynapenia, none study has compared the results of these two concepts to the outcomes above. This thesis presents three papers. The first one examined the prevalence and associated factors of sarcopenia among community dwelling elderly in São Paulo. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 15.4 per cent (16.1 per cent in women and 14.4 per cent in men). Advanced age, cognitive impairment, low income, smoking, undernutrition and risk for undernutrition (p<0.05) were factors associated with sarcopenia. The second paper compared the association of sarcopenia and dynapenia with the incidence of disability in mobility or instrumental activities of daily living and with disability in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, organized in a hierarchical conceptual model. Sarcopenia was associated with mobility or instrumental activities of daily living disability (relative risk ratio = 2.38, 95 per cent CI 1.10 5.17) while dynapenia was not associated with disability. The third paper compared the association of sarcopenia and dynapenia with mortality. Both sarcopenia (hazzard ratio = 1.52, 95 per cent CI 1.06 2.19) as dynapenia (hazzard ratio = 2.04, 95 per cent CI 1.24 3.37) were independent risk factors for death. Nevertheless, sarcopenia can be used as a screening in Public Health in order to identify elderly at risk of developing premature types of disability and with medical conditions that may increase the risk of death

Introdução: Na Doença de Alzheimer, o comprometimento no desempenho nas Atividades de Vida Diária (AVD) impacta diretamente a autonomia e independência do indivíduo. A capacidade funcional determina o nível de auxílio que uma pessoa irá necessitar no cotidiano para uma vida em segurança e com autonomia. Dentre os domínios cognitivos, a Função Executiva tem sido relatada como a mais associada com o desempenho de funcionalidade. Há a necessidade de instrumentos válidos para avaliar os déficits das funções executivas no desempenho de tarefas de mundo real em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA) no Brasil. Objetivo: Validar a versão brasileira do teste Executive Performance Test (EFPT) em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA). Métodos: Adaptação cultural do EFPT para o português do Brasil. Os estudos de confiabilidade e validade foram realizados com três grupos de idosos: controles, DA leve e DA moderada. Este estudo examinou a estabilidade do instrumento, a consistência interna (alfa de Cronbach), a validade de constructo e de critério e análises de precisão. Resultados: A amostra foi composta de 83 participantes com 60 anos ou mais, distribuídos em três grupos: controle, DA leve e DA moderada. A confiabilidade inter examinadores foi alta (ICC = 0,985), com alta consistência interna (Cronbach ? = 0,967). Houve forte correlação entre EFPT-Br Total e DAFS-BR (r = -0.762), correlação fraca a moderada com a bateria cognitiva e correlação moderada a forte com a bateria funcional. Foi realizado o cálculo da da ROC multiclasse área sob a curva de 0,8933, a pontuação sugerida para diferenciar os grupos : menor que 8 para controles; entre 9 e 27 para DA leve; e acima de 28 para DA moderada, para discriminar grupos. Conclusão: O EFPT-BR é um teste válido, com parâmetros psicométricos satisfatórios, para discriminar pacientes saudáveis, com DA leve e DA moderada na realização de tarefas instrumentais. O teste fornece informações consistentes para auxiliar a compreensão do desempenho de pacientes com DA na realização de atividades de vida diária com mais autonomia e segurança / Background: In Alzheimer\'s disease, the impairment in performing Activities of Daily Life (ADL) directly affects the autonomy and independence of the individual. The functionality determine a person needs for a safe and autonomous life. Among the cognitive domains, Executive Function has been reported as the most associated with functionality performance. There is a need for valid assessments to evaluate the deficits of executive functions in performing of real world tasks with patients with Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) in Brazil. Objective: To validate to Brazilian Portuguese version of the Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT) in Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. Methods: Cultural adaptation of EFPT to Brazilian Portuguese. The reliability and validity studies were performed with three groups of elderly: controls, mild AD and moderate AD. This study examines instrument stability, an internal consistency (Cronbach\'s alpha), a construct and criterion validity, and precision analyzes. Results: The sample consisted of 83 participants aged 60 years and over, divided into three groups: control, mild AD and moderate AD. The inter-examiner reliability was high (ICC = 0.985), with high internal consistency (Cronbach ? = 0.967). There was a strong correlation between EFPT-Br Total and DAFS-BR (r = -0.762), weak to moderate correlation with a cognitive battery and moderate to strong correlation with the functional battery. We performed the calculation of the ROC multiclass area under the curve of 0.8933, a score suggested to differentiate the groups: less than 8 for controls; between 9 and 27 for mild AD; and above 28 for moderate AD, to discriminate groups. Conclusion: EFPT-BR is a valid test with satisfactory psychometric parameters to discriminate healthy patients with mild AD and moderate AD in performing instrumental tasks. The test provides consistent information to assist in understanding the performance of AD patients in carrying out more autonomous and safe daily life activities

Background: Maintaining independence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is crucial for older adults. This study explored the association between cognitive and functional performance in general and in single IADL domains. Also, risk factors for developing IADL impairment were assessed. Methods: Here, 3,215 patients aged 75–98 years were included. Data were collected during home visits. Results: Cognitive functioning was associated with IADL both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Regarding the single IADL domains cross-sectionally, executive functioning was especially associated with shopping, while episodic memory was associated with responsibility for own medication. Conclusion: Reduced performance in neuropsychological tests is associated with a greater risk of current and subsequent functional impairment. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Originalmente, o termo sarcopenia foi definido como a diminuição da massa muscular relacionada ao envelhecimento. Ao longo da última década, tornou-se um termo mais abrangente reunindo a redução da força muscular (dinapenia) à redução da massa muscular. Em 2010, o European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP), no intuito de promover melhor a identificação e o tratamento de sarcopenia, sugere, em consenso, que a mesma seja reconhecida como uma síndrome geriátrica. Dessa forma, recomenda o diagnóstico baseado na redução da massa muscular, obrigatoriamente associada à redução da força muscular e do desempenho físico. Entretanto, poucos são os estudos que estimaram a prevalência de sarcopenia em idosos usando o consenso do EWGSOP e nenhum realizou essa estimativa na América Latina. Além disso, esse conceito não foi analisado como fator de risco para incidência de incapacidade e, em populações com mais de 60 anos, como fator de risco para óbito. Contudo, dada as divergências conceituais entre sarcopenia e dinapenia, nenhum estudo comparou os resultados desses dois conceitos para os desfechos supracitados. Essa tese apresenta três artigos: O primeiro analisou a prevalência e os fatores associados à sarcopenia em idosos residentes no Município de São Paulo. A prevalência de sarcopenia encontrada foi de 15,4 por cento (16,1 por cento em mulheres e 14,4 por cento em homens). Idade avançada, prejuízo cognitivo, baixa renda, fumo, desnutrição e risco de desnutrição (p<0,05) foram fatores associados à sarcopenia. O segundo artigo comparou a associação da sarcopenia e da dinapenia com a incidência de incapacidade em mobilidade ou atividades instrumentais de vida diária e com incapacidade em atividades básicas e instrumentais de vida diária, organizadas num modelo conceitual hierárquico. A sarcopenia foi associada à incapacidade em mobilidade ou atividades instrumentais de vida diária (razão de risco relativo = 2,38, IC 95 por cento 1,10 5,17) enquanto a dinapenia não foi associada à incapacidade. O terceiro artigo comparou a associação da sarcopenia e da dinapenia com mortalidade. Tanto a sarcopenia (hazzard ratio = 1,52, IC 95 por cento 1,06 2,19) quanto a dinapenia (hazzard ratio = 2,04, IC 95 por cento 1,24 3,37) foram fatores de risco independentes para óbito. Contudo, a sarcopenia pode ser usada como instrumento de screening em Saúde Pública para identificar idosos sob-risco de desenvolver tipos prematuros de incapacidade e em condições clínicas que possam aumentar o risco de óbito / Originally, the sarcopenia term was defined as a decrease in muscle mass related to aging. Over the last decade, it became a broader term gathering reduced muscular strength (dynapenia) and reduced muscle mass. In 2010, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) in order to improve the identification and treatment of sarcopenia suggests, in consensus, that it be recognized as a geriatric syndrome. This way, recommends the diagnosis based on low muscle mass, necessarily associated with low muscle strength and low physical performance. However, few studies have estimated the prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly using the EWGSOP definition and none made this estimation in Latin America. Furthermore, this concept was not analyzed as a risk factor for incidence of disability and, in people over 60 years, as a risk factor for death. However, given the conceptual divergences between sarcopenia and dynapenia, none study has compared the results of these two concepts to the outcomes above. This thesis presents three papers. The first one examined the prevalence and associated factors of sarcopenia among community dwelling elderly in São Paulo. The prevalence of sarcopenia was 15.4 per cent (16.1 per cent in women and 14.4 per cent in men). Advanced age, cognitive impairment, low income, smoking, undernutrition and risk for undernutrition (p<0.05) were factors associated with sarcopenia. The second paper compared the association of sarcopenia and dynapenia with the incidence of disability in mobility or instrumental activities of daily living and with disability in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, organized in a hierarchical conceptual model. Sarcopenia was associated with mobility or instrumental activities of daily living disability (relative risk ratio = 2.38, 95 per cent CI 1.10 5.17) while dynapenia was not associated with disability. The third paper compared the association of sarcopenia and dynapenia with mortality. Both sarcopenia (hazzard ratio = 1.52, 95 per cent CI 1.06 2.19) as dynapenia (hazzard ratio = 2.04, 95 per cent CI 1.24 3.37) were independent risk factors for death. Nevertheless, sarcopenia can be used as a screening in Public Health in order to identify elderly at risk of developing premature types of disability and with medical conditions that may increase the risk of death

Introdução: Na Doença de Alzheimer, o comprometimento no desempenho nas Atividades de Vida Diária (AVD) impacta diretamente a autonomia e independência do indivíduo. A capacidade funcional determina o nível de auxílio que uma pessoa irá necessitar no cotidiano para uma vida em segurança e com autonomia. Dentre os domínios cognitivos, a Função Executiva tem sido relatada como a mais associada com o desempenho de funcionalidade. Há a necessidade de instrumentos válidos para avaliar os déficits das funções executivas no desempenho de tarefas de mundo real em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA) no Brasil. Objetivo: Validar a versão brasileira do teste Executive Performance Test (EFPT) em pacientes com doença de Alzheimer (DA). Métodos: Adaptação cultural do EFPT para o português do Brasil. Os estudos de confiabilidade e validade foram realizados com três grupos de idosos: controles, DA leve e DA moderada. Este estudo examinou a estabilidade do instrumento, a consistência interna (alfa de Cronbach), a validade de constructo e de critério e análises de precisão. Resultados: A amostra foi composta de 83 participantes com 60 anos ou mais, distribuídos em três grupos: controle, DA leve e DA moderada. A confiabilidade inter examinadores foi alta (ICC = 0,985), com alta consistência interna (Cronbach ? = 0,967). Houve forte correlação entre EFPT-Br Total e DAFS-BR (r = -0.762), correlação fraca a moderada com a bateria cognitiva e correlação moderada a forte com a bateria funcional. Foi realizado o cálculo da da ROC multiclasse área sob a curva de 0,8933, a pontuação sugerida para diferenciar os grupos : menor que 8 para controles; entre 9 e 27 para DA leve; e acima de 28 para DA moderada, para discriminar grupos. Conclusão: O EFPT-BR é um teste válido, com parâmetros psicométricos satisfatórios, para discriminar pacientes saudáveis, com DA leve e DA moderada na realização de tarefas instrumentais. O teste fornece informações consistentes para auxiliar a compreensão do desempenho de pacientes com DA na realização de atividades de vida diária com mais autonomia e segurança / Background: In Alzheimer\'s disease, the impairment in performing Activities of Daily Life (ADL) directly affects the autonomy and independence of the individual. The functionality determine a person needs for a safe and autonomous life. Among the cognitive domains, Executive Function has been reported as the most associated with functionality performance. There is a need for valid assessments to evaluate the deficits of executive functions in performing of real world tasks with patients with Alzheimer\'s disease (AD) in Brazil. Objective: To validate to Brazilian Portuguese version of the Executive Function Performance Test (EFPT) in Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. Methods: Cultural adaptation of EFPT to Brazilian Portuguese. The reliability and validity studies were performed with three groups of elderly: controls, mild AD and moderate AD. This study examines instrument stability, an internal consistency (Cronbach\'s alpha), a construct and criterion validity, and precision analyzes. Results: The sample consisted of 83 participants aged 60 years and over, divided into three groups: control, mild AD and moderate AD. The inter-examiner reliability was high (ICC = 0.985), with high internal consistency (Cronbach ? = 0.967). There was a strong correlation between EFPT-Br Total and DAFS-BR (r = -0.762), weak to moderate correlation with a cognitive battery and moderate to strong correlation with the functional battery. We performed the calculation of the ROC multiclass area under the curve of 0.8933, a score suggested to differentiate the groups: less than 8 for controls; between 9 and 27 for mild AD; and above 28 for moderate AD, to discriminate groups. Conclusion: EFPT-BR is a valid test with satisfactory psychometric parameters to discriminate healthy patients with mild AD and moderate AD in performing instrumental tasks. The test provides consistent information to assist in understanding the performance of AD patients in carrying out more autonomous and safe daily life activities

Background: Maintaining independence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is crucial for older adults. This study explored the association between cognitive and functional performance in general and in single IADL domains. Also, risk factors for developing IADL impairment were assessed. Methods: Here, 3,215 patients aged 75–98 years were included. Data were collected during home visits. Results: Cognitive functioning was associated with IADL both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Regarding the single IADL domains cross-sectionally, executive functioning was especially associated with shopping, while episodic memory was associated with responsibility for own medication. Conclusion: Reduced performance in neuropsychological tests is associated with a greater risk of current and subsequent functional impairment. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Background: Maintaining independence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is crucial for older adults. This study explored the association between cognitive and functional performance in general and in single IADL domains. Also, risk factors for developing IADL impairment were assessed. Methods: Here, 3,215 patients aged 75–98 years were included. Data were collected during home visits. Results: Cognitive functioning was associated with IADL both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Regarding the single IADL domains cross-sectionally, executive functioning was especially associated with shopping, while episodic memory was associated with responsibility for own medication. Conclusion: Reduced performance in neuropsychological tests is associated with a greater risk of current and subsequent functional impairment.

Many older adults desire to maintain their quality of life by living and aging independently in their own homes. However, it is difficult for older adults to notice and track the subtle changes in their own abilities because these abilities can change gradually over a long period of time. Technology in the form of ubiquitous sensors embedded in objects in the home can play a role in keeping track of the functional abilities of individuals unobtrusively, objectively, and continuously over a long period of time. This work introduces a sensing technique called “task-based embedded assessment” that monitors how well specific tasks important for independence are carried out using everyday objects found in the home with which individuals regularly interact. Following formative studies on the information needs of older adults and their caregivers, a sensing system called “dwellSense” that can monitor, assess, and provide feedback about how well individuals complete tasks, such as taking medications, using the phone, and making coffee, was designed, built, and evaluated. Multiple longterm (over 10 months) field deployments of dwellSense were used to investigate how the data collected from the system could support greater self-awareness of abilities and intentions to improve in task performance. Presenting and reflecting on data from ubiquitous sensing systems such as dwellSense is challenging because it is both highly dimensional as well as large in volume, particularly if it is collected over a long period of time. Thus, this work also investigates the time dimension of reflection and has identified that real-time feedback is particularly useful for supporting behavior change, and longer-term trended feedback is useful for greater awareness of abilities. Traditional forms of assessing the functional abilities of individuals tend to be either biased, lacking ecological validity, infrequent, or expensive to conduct. An automated sensor-based approach for assessment is compared to traditional performance testing by a trained clinician and found to match well with clinician-generated ratings that are objective, frequent, and ecologically valid. The contributions from this thesis not only advance the state of the art for maintaining quality of life and care for older adults, but also provide the foundations for designing personal sensing systems that aim to assess an individual’s abilities and support behaviors through the feedback of objective, timely sensed information.