Physiological and Ankle Functions Are Discriminating Factors for the Risk of Falls in Women in Treatment of Osteoporosis

Renata Gonçalves Pinheiro Correa; Anna Raquel Silveira Gomes; Victoria Zeghbi Cochenski Borba

doi:10.3390/ijerph191912643

Physiological and Ankle Functions Are Discriminating Factors for the Risk of Falls in Women in Treatment of Osteoporosis

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 3;19(19):12643. doi: 10.3390/ijerph191912643.

Authors

Renata Gonçalves Pinheiro Correa¹, Anna Raquel Silveira Gomes², Victoria Zeghbi Cochenski Borba³

Affiliations

¹ Internal Medicine, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80060-000, Brazil.
² Prevention and Rehabilitation in Physical Therapy Department, Master's and PhD Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80060-000, Brazil.
³ Internal Medicine Department and Master's and PhD Program, Endocrine Division (SEMPR), Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba 80060-000, Brazil.

Abstract

Introduction: Elderly women with osteoporosis are at risk of falls and fractures.

Objective: To compare the intrinsic factors of falls, including ankle evaluation, in a group of elderly women in treatment for osteoporosis compared with a control group.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of elderly women in treatment for osteoporosis (TG) was paired with a control group (CG) not in treatment. All groups completed a questionnaire and underwent a bone mineral density test; the mini-mental state examination (MMSE); physical performance tests; lower-limb strength and power, ankle, and muscle architecture evaluations; and a physiological profile assessment (PPA).

Results: A total of 128 women were included (68 TG, 60 CG); the mean age was 71.55 ± 3.07 years; TG had a worse performance in the intrinsic factors in the MMSE, plantarflexions range of motion, gait speed, plantarflexions peak isometric strength, and short physical performance battery (p < 0.05 for all). PPA stratification (proprioception and lower-limb strength) presented a greater risk of falls in the TG, with proprioception increasing the risk by 2.4 times.

Conclusion: Patients undergoing treatment for osteoporosis are influenced by intrinsic factors of falls, many being present in the CG. PPA and ankle strength and flexibility tests are more discriminative for evaluating fall risks in patients in treatment for osteoporosis.

Keywords: elderly; falls; fractures; intrinsic factors; osteoporosis; treatment.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Accidental Falls
Aged
Ankle
Bone Density / physiology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Fractures, Bone*
Humans
Osteoporosis*
Risk Factors

Grants and funding

This study was partially funded by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel—Brazil Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPQ) No. 06/2019.