Functional, nutritional and social factors associated with mobility limitations in the elderly: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the prevalence and incidence of mobility limitations in the elderly people and their associated factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Articles in the electronic literature were searched via PubMed, Scopus,,Lilacs, SciELO, PAHO, MedCarib, Repidisca, Wholis, IBCES, PEDro, Medline and Bireme (2012-2016). The instrument STROBE was used to analyze the quality of the work and the PRISMA recommendation was used to structure the review.

RESULTS: Nine studies were included. The prevalence of mobility limitations ranged from 58.1 to 93.2% and the incidence ranged from 23 to 53.7%. Studies provided evidence of association of mobility limitations in the elderly population with high BMI, low 25-hydroxy vitamin D, sarcopenia, fragility, chronic pain, functional dependence, advanced age in women, low hip flexion, sedentary lifestyle, and social support difficulties.

CONCLUSIONS: Mobility limitations in the elderly had high prevalence and incidence, and there was evidence of association with nutritional, functional and social factors.