Article

The aim of this study was to determine the association of increased
kyphosis with declines in mobility, balance, and disability among
community-living older adults. DESIGN: The 18-mo follow-up visit data from 2006
to 2009 for 620 participants from the population-based Maintenance of Balance,
Independent Living, Intellect, and Zest in the Elderly Boston Study of older
adults was used. Cross-sectional multivariable regression analyses were performed
to assess the relationship between kyphosis (measured using the kyphosis index)
and measures of mobility performance (Short Physical Performance Battery),
balance (Berg Balance Scale score), and disability (self-reported difficulty
walking a quarter of a mile or climbing a flight of stairs). The authors then
evaluated the men and the women separately. Adjustment variables included
demographic factors (age, sex, race, and education), body mass index, self-rated
health, comorbidities (heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and depressive symptoms),
back pain, knee pain, and falls self-efficacy. RESULTS: After full adjustment,
greater kyphosis index was associated with lower Short Physical Performance
Battery scores (adjusted beta = -0.08, P = 0.01) but not with lower Berg Balance
Scale (adjusted beta = -0.09, P = 0.23) or self-reported disability (adjusted
beta = 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-1.06) scores. In sex-specific
analyses, kyphosis index was associated with only the Short Physical Performance
Battery in the women. CONCLUSIONS: Greater kyphosis is associated with poorer
mobility performance but not with poorer balance or self-reported disability.
This association with the Short Physical Performance Battery was observed only
among the women. Mechanisms by which increased kyphosis influences physical
performance should be explored prospectively.

Langue : ANGLAIS