[Gait and stability disorders of the elderly. Clinical analysis of a series of 259 patients older than 70 years].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Gait and stability disorders of the elderly are frequent and a cause of disability, but studies on their clinical features and etiology are scarce, including the relationship between both disorders. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an extensive series of patients with gait and stability disorders, its clinical variants and posible pathogenic significance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 259 patients older than 70 years consulting for chronic gait and stability symptoms in an outpatients neurologic clinic were retrospectively reviewed. Several clinical and evolution data are analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age was 78.8 years and 61.8% were women. 52 % were hypertensive. 161 cases had disequilibrium, 91 a cautious gait and seven other types of gait abnormality. 11 % had associated dementia. 27 % showed subcortical white matter abnormalities on computed tomography scan. In 28 cases a specific cause could be established. In follow-up 33.5 % worsened. Significant differences between cases of disequilibrium and cautious gait were increased age, functional disability and turn abnormality in the latter. CONCLUSIONS: Disequilibrium and cautious gait of the elderly share some clinical features, have few specific causes and vary from mild cases to a disabling <<encephalic gait disease>>.