A comparison of different balance tests in the prediction of falls in older women with vertebral fractures: a cohort study. Export

@article{citeulike:4091000, abstract = {BACKGROUND: people with vertebral fractures are at high risk of developing hip fractures. Falls risk is important in the pathogenesis of hip fractures. AIM: to investigate if balance tests, in conjunction with a falls history, can predict falls in older women with vertebral fractures. METHODS: a cohort study of community-dwelling women aged over 60 years, with vertebral fractures. Balance tests investigated were: 5 m-timed-up-and-go-test (5 m-TUG), timed 10 m walk, TURN180 test (number of steps to turn 180 degrees ), tandem walk, ability to stand from chair with arms folded. Leg extensor power was also measured. OUTCOME MEASURE: fallers (at least one fall in a 12 month follow-up period) versus non-fallers. RESULTS: one hundred and four women aged 63-91 years [mean=78 +/- 7], were recruited. Eighty-six (83\%) completed the study. Four variables were significantly associated with fallers: previous recurrent faller (2+ falls) [OR=6.52; 95\% CI=1.69-25.22], 5 m-TUG test [OR=1.03; 1.00-1.06], timed 10 m walk [OR=1.07; 1.01-1.13] and the TURN180 test [OR=1.22; 1.00-1.49] [P <0.05]. Multi-variable analysis showed that only two variables, previous recurrent faller [OR=5.60; 1.40-22.45] and the 5 m-TUG test [OR=1.04; 1.00-1.08], were independently significantly associated with fallers. The optimal cut-off time for performing the 5 m-TUG test in predicting fallers was 30 s (area under ROC=60\%). Combining previous recurrent faller with the 5 m-TUG improved prediction of fallers [OR=16.79, specificity=100\%, sensitivity=13\%]. CONCLUSIONS: a previous history of recurrent falls and the inability to perform the 5 m-TUG test within 30 s predicted falls in older women with vertebral fractures. Combining these two measures can predict fallers with a high degree of specificity (although a low sensitivity), allowing the identification of a group of patients suitable for fall and fracture prevention measures.}, author = {Morris, R. and Harwood, R. H. and Baker, R. and Sahota, O. and Armstrong, S. and Masud, T.}, citeulike-article-id = {4091000}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17264139}, citeulike-linkout-1 = {http://www.hubmed.org/display.cgi?uids=17264139}, issn = {0002-0729}, journal = {Age and ageing}, keywords = {balance\_equilibrium\_examination, balance\_evaluation, cohort\_study, fall\_history, fall\_risk, geriatrics, older\_women, rehabilitation, specificity, timed\_up\_and\_go\_test, turn\_180\_test, vertebral\_fractures}, month = {January}, number = {1}, pages = {78--83}, posted-at = {2009-02-24 04:41:09}, priority = {2}, title = {A comparison of different balance tests in the prediction of falls in older women with vertebral fractures: a cohort study.}, url = {http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17264139}, volume = {36}, year = {2007} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:4091000 L3 - citeulike-article-id:4091000 N2 - BACKGROUND: people with vertebral fractures are at high risk of developing hip fractures. Falls risk is important in the pathogenesis of hip fractures. AIM: to investigate if balance tests, in conjunction with a falls history, can predict falls in older women with vertebral fractures. METHODS: a cohort study of community-dwelling women aged over 60 years, with vertebral fractures. Balance tests investigated were: 5 m-timed-up-and-go-test (5 m-TUG), timed 10 m walk, TURN180 test (number of steps to turn 180 degrees ), tandem walk, ability to stand from chair with arms folded. Leg extensor power was also measured. OUTCOME MEASURE: fallers (at least one fall in a 12 month follow-up period) versus non-fallers. RESULTS: one hundred and four women aged 63-91 years [mean=78 +/- 7], were recruited. Eighty-six (83%) completed the study. Four variables were significantly associated with fallers: previous recurrent faller (2+ falls) [OR=6.52; 95% CI=1.69-25.22], 5 m-TUG test [OR=1.03; 1.00-1.06], timed 10 m walk [OR=1.07; 1.01-1.13] and the TURN180 test [OR=1.22; 1.00-1.49] [P <0.05]. Multi-variable analysis showed that only two variables, previous recurrent faller [OR=5.60; 1.40-22.45] and the 5 m-TUG test [OR=1.04; 1.00-1.08], were independently significantly associated with fallers. The optimal cut-off time for performing the 5 m-TUG test in predicting fallers was 30 s (area under ROC=60%). Combining previous recurrent faller with the 5 m-TUG improved prediction of fallers [OR=16.79, specificity=100%, sensitivity=13%]. CONCLUSIONS: a previous history of recurrent falls and the inability to perform the 5 m-TUG test within 30 s predicted falls in older women with vertebral fractures. Combining these two measures can predict fallers with a high degree of specificity (although a low sensitivity), allowing the identification of a group of patients suitable for fall and fracture prevention measures. IS - 1 JF - Age and ageing SN - 0002-0729 EP - 83 TI - A comparison of different balance tests in the prediction of falls in older women with vertebral fractures: a cohort study. VL - 36 SP - 78 KW - balance_equilibrium_examination KW - balance_evaluation KW - cohort_study KW - fall_history KW - fall_risk KW - geriatrics KW - older_women KW - rehabilitation KW - specificity KW - timed_up_and_go_test KW - turn_180_test KW - vertebral_fractures AU - Morris, R AU - Harwood, RH AU - Baker, R AU - Sahota, O AU - Armstrong, S AU - Masud, T PY - 2007/01// UR - http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17264139 ER -