Clinical factors as predictors of the risk of falls and subsequent bone fractures due to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Abstract

In Japan, the "bedridden state" is one of the most serious problems the aged face, and it is becoming a social problem. The main causes of the bedridden state are cerebrovascular disorders and bone fractures following falls. The purpose of this study was to predict risk factors for falls and resultant bone fracture due to osteoporosis. We explored mobility parameters for possible fall prevention. In order to examine the correlation between the risk of falling and resultant bone fracture due to osteoporosis, logistic regression analysis was performed between bone mass (independent variable) and various factors dependent variables: body mass index [BMI], body fat percentage, atherogenic index, presence of transformation-related osteoarthritis of knee, presence of transformation-related osteoarthritis of spine, maximum step length, single-leg stance with open eyes, and hip-joint flexion motion angle); predictive factors were then examined. Predictive factors were determined by the stepwise method. Subjects who could not perform the "single-leg stance with open eyes" test had a risk of falling and bone fracture 2.49 times as large as that of subjects who could. The "single-leg stance with open eyes" test may be considered a useful method for the early detection of the risk of falling and bone fracture associated with osteoporosis. As a first step to identify factors predicting the occurrence of falls and bone fractures due to osteoporosis, we intended to discover an indicator that would help to detect incipient osteoporosis.

Postural Stability in Older Adults with a Distal Radial Fracture

“…Notably absent are any recommendations to consider the role of balance training and physical conditioning when evaluating a patient with a fragility fracture of the forearm or elsewhere. Current practice trends mirror these guidelines, as evaluation for osteoporosis is becoming a common consideration following these injuries 32,33 , and assessment and treatment of fall risk are more often overlooked 34,35 . There were several potential limitations to this study.…”

Risk factors for recurrent falls among Brazilian women and men: the Brazilian Osteoporosis Study (BRAZOS)

“…The responses to the questionnaires were given by individuals, although previous evidence has demonstrated adequate accuracy and reliability in this methodology 1 . Moreover, no assessment of neuromuscular function and mobility was performed 36 . In the EPIDOS (Epidémiologie de l'Ostéoporose) study, slower gait velocity and difficulty walking were among the main risk factors associated with falls and hip fractures 37 .…”

Strategies of stepping over obstacles: The effects of long-term exercise in older adults

“…While spending more time in single-leg stance appears counterintuitive to a ''cautious'' gait strategy, Ramachandran and colleagues [17] hypothesized that the long-term TC practitioners spent more time in a single-leg stance than non-TC practitioners because they were more comfortable in this position due to their repeated practice of this motion. Other studies support the hypothesis that TC practice can increase single-leg stance time [18,19], which reduces fall risk [20].…”