association between osteoporosis and static balance in elderly women

• Published in: Osteoporosis international 2010-09, Vol.21 (9), p.1487-1491
• Main Authors: Abreu, D. C, Trevisan, D. C, Costa, G. C, Vasconcelos, F. M, Gomes, M. M, Carneiro, A. A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Body Height - physiology; Body Weight - physiology; Bone density; Bone Density - physiology; Bone Diseases, Metabolic - complications; Bone Diseases, Metabolic - physiopathology; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Elderly women; Endocrinology; Equilibrium; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Older people; Original Article; Orthopedics; Osteoarticular system. Muscles; Osteoporosis; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - complications; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal - physiopathology; Osteoporosis. Osteomalacia. Paget disease; Postural Balance - physiology; Postural control; Posture; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Rheumatology; Sensation Disorders - etiology; Sensation Disorders - physiopathology; Static balance; Women
• ISSN: 0937-941X; 1433-2965
• DOI: 10.1007/s00198-009-1117-5

Summary This study aimed at answering the question: do people with high bone loss have greater postural instability? Groups were separated into group 1: women with normal bone mineral density, group 2: women with osteopenia, and group 3: women with osteoporosis. The balance was evaluated in four upright postural situations. Osteoporosis group had greater oscillation in the anteroposterior displacement in all situations compared to control group and the greatest mediolateral displacement in all situations compared to other groups. Introduction It is not known whether the presence of osteoporosis can be considered a factor aggravating the postural control. This study aimed at answering the question: do people with high bone loss have greater postural instability? Methods This study was divided into three groups: group 1 (n = 20) consisting of women with normal bone mineral density, group 2 (n = 20) women with osteopenia, and group 3 (n = 20) women with osteoporosis. All the participants were submitted to evaluation of the balance using the Polhemus system in four upright postural situations. Results Osteoporosis group had greater oscillation in the anteroposterior displacement in all situations compared to control group. The osteoporosis group also showed the greatest mediolateral displacement in all situations compared to other groups. Conclusion The results suggest that osteoporotic women had the worst balance, possibly due to the more pronounced body changes compared to non-osteoporotic women.