Discipline of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Department of Physiotherapy, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Sci Rep. 2021 May 10;11(1):9911. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-88590-0.
Adults who are homeless experience poor health and frequently require hospital in-patient care but the physical functioning ability of this group is rarely considered. The objective of this study was to evaluate a broad range of physical functioning variables to enable better future planning of targeted health and accommodation services for this group. This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in a large acute hospital in Dublin, Ireland. A comprehensive ward-based test battery evaluated physical functioning in 65 in-patients registered as homeless with an age range of 23-80 years. Less than 10% (n = 5) were > 70 years. 58/65 (83%) of participants had mobility limitations and 35/65 (54%) reported at least one fall in the previous six months. Only 25/66 (35%) were able to walk for 6 min and 20/65 (31%) were able to climb one flight of stairs. 45/63 (70%) of participants were pre-frail or frail. Muscular mass was normal in the majority of participants but grip strength was low. This study revealed hospital in-patients registered as homeless displayed particularly poor physical functioning levels and mobility regardless of age. Health and housing services should address the unmet physical functioning needs of this vulnerable group.
无家可归的成年人健康状况不佳，经常需要住院治疗，但很少有人关注这个群体的身体机能能力。本研究的目的是评估广泛的身体机能变量，以便更好地为这一群体未来规划有针对性的健康和住宿服务。这项横断面观察研究在爱尔兰都柏林的一家大型急性医院进行。一个全面的基于病房的测试电池评估了 65 名登记为无家可归者的住院患者的身体机能，他们的年龄范围为 23-80 岁。不到 10%（n=5）的人年龄大于 70 岁。58/65（83%）的参与者存在行动障碍，35/65（54%）报告在过去六个月中有至少一次跌倒。只有 25/66（35%）的人能够行走 6 分钟，20/65（31%）的人能够爬一层楼梯。45/63（70%）的参与者处于衰弱前期或衰弱状态。大多数参与者的肌肉质量正常，但握力较低。这项研究表明，无论年龄大小，登记为无家可归者的住院患者的身体机能和活动能力都特别差。卫生和住房服务应满足这一弱势群体未满足的身体机能需求。
