Associação entre o medo de quedas, ansiedade e depressão durante hospitalização de indivíduos com Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crônica.

Abstract

Introduction: Reduced muscle strength and balance deficits are factors associated with a greater fear of falling in individuals with COPD. However, the influence of fear of falling in patients with COPD during hospitalization is unknown. Anxiety has been observed in patients with COPD in an incidence range that varies from 21% to 96%, in addition, depression is also frequently found in people with COPD, affecting approximately 27% to 79% of these individuals. Although there are studies on the relationship between fear of falling, anxiety and depression, the relationship between individuals during hospitalization is unknown. Primary objective: To assess the prevalence of fear of falling and the levels of anxiety and depression of individuals with COPD during hospitalization. Secondary objective: To investigate the association of fear of falling with the level of anxiety and depression of individuals with COPD during hospitalization. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study carried out from August 2023 to April 2024 in a hospital in the city of Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais. The Falls Efficacy Scale – International (FES-I) and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) were used to assess the fear of falls in this population. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to identify the presence and severity of anxiety and depression. Jamovi software, version 2.3.24, was used to perform data analysis. Results: Ten patients were included in the study, 80% of whom were men with a mean age of 72.9 ± 9.11 years. It was observed that there was no correlation between the FES-I scale and the HADS questionnaire. A strong and significant negative correlation was identified between the ABC questionnaire and the “anxiety” domain of the HADS scale (r = -0.702; p ≤ 0.024), and a strong correlation with the total score of this scale (r = -0.691; p ≤ 0.027). Conclusion: Individuals with COPD during hospitalization have a moderate to high level of fear of falling. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between confidence in balance and symptoms of anxiety and depression.