Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: June | Volume: 9 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 78-86
Correlation of Fall Risk, Fracture Risk and Function in Middle-Aged and Elderly Population of Gujarat, India
Dr. Bhoomika Gunvantbhai Brahmbhatt1, Dr. Megha Sandip Sheth2
1Ph.D. Scholar, Gujarat University and Senior Lecturer, Ahmedabad Physiotherapy College, Ahmedabad
2Lecturer, SBB college of Physiotherapy, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Corresponding Author: Dr. Bhoomika Gunvantbhai Brahmbhatt
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to find out the correlation of fall risk, fracture risk and functional level using Berg Balance scale (BBS), Fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) and lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) respectively in middle aged and elderly population of Gujarat, India. It was hypothesized that there would be a negative correlation of FRAX with BBS and LEFS and a positive correlation between BBS and LEFS.
Methods: It was an observational study including five hundred participants both men and women, with age group of 40-80 years, selected from the local community of Gujarat from March-December, 2017.The 10-year probability of risk of Major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) and Hip fracture (HF) was calculated by FRAX and the balance and lower limb functional status were assessed by BBS and LEFS respectively. The correlation between the variables was analyzed by the Spearman’s Rho correlation.
Results: The correlation between the variables was found significant at 0.01 level (2-Tailed) There was a strong negative correlation of FRAX HF with BBS(r=-0.61) and FRAX MOF with BBS(r=-0.63), moderate negative correlation of FRAX HF with LEFS (r=-0.58), strong negative correlation of FRAX MOF with LEFS(r=-0.60) and Strong positive correlation between BBS and LEFS (r=0.69).
Conclusion: The study showed a significant moderate to strong correlation of fall risk, fracture risk and function in middle aged and elderly population of Gujarat. The lower balance and functional scores were related to increased risk of falls and probability of fractures and there was a strong positive relationship between balance and the functional status.
Key words: Correlation, Fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX), Berg Balance scale(BBS), Lower extremity functional scale(LEFS), Balance, Gujarat