Postural control among elderly women with and without osteoporosis: is there a difference?
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about postural control among elderly individuals with osteoporosis and its relationship with falls. It has been suggested that elderly women with kyphosis and osteoporosis are at greater risk of falling. The aim of this study was to evaluate posture and postural control among elderly women with and without osteoporosis.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study conducted at the Physical Therapy and Electromyography Laboratory, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo (USP).


METHODS
Sixty-six elderly women were selected from the bone metabolism disorders clinic, Division of Rheumatology, USP, and were divided into two groups: osteoporosis and controls, according to their bone mineral density (BMD). Postural control was assessed using the Limits of Stability (LOS) test and the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance (CTSIBm) and posture, using photometry.


RESULTS
The elderly women with osteoporosis swayed at higher velocity on a stable surface with opened eyes (0.30 versus 0.20 degrees/second; P = 0.038). In both groups, the center of pressure (COP) was at 30% in the LOS, but with different placements: 156° in the osteoporosis group and 178° in the controls (P = 0.045). Osteoporosis patients fell more than controls did (1.0 versus 0.0; P = 0.036).


CONCLUSIONS
The postural control in elderly women with osteoporosis differed from that of the controls, with higher sway velocity and maximum displacement of COP. Despite postural abnormalities such as hyperkyphosis and forward head, the COP position was posteriorized.
School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Thomaz Nogueira
TN
Burke
Fabio Jorge Renovato
FJ
França
Sarah Rúbia Ferreira de
SR
Meneses
Viviam Inhasz
VI
Cardoso
Rosa Maria Rodrigues
RM
Pereira
Camille Figueredo
CF
Danilevicius
Amélia Pasqual
AP
Marques
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric