Age and Sex Differences in Balance Outcomes among Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) at Risk of Falls.

2022-04-07

Alsubheen, Sanaa A

Beauchamp, Marla

Ellerton, Cindy

Goldstein, Roger

Alison, Jennifer

Dechman, Gail

Haines, Kimberley J

Harrison, Samantha

Holland, Anne E

Lee, Annemarie L

Marques, Alda

Spencer, Lissa

Stickland, Michael

Skinner, Elizabeth H

Brooks, Dina

Age

COPD

balance

falls

sex

Journal Article

0000-0001-9841-7522

0000-0003-2061-845X

0000-0003-0268-7160

0000-0001-6080-5052

0000-0002-8631-0135

0000-0002-2882-1594

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10.1080/15412555.2022.2038120

No previous research has examined age and sex differences in balance outcomes in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at risk of falls. A secondary analysis of baseline data from an ongoing trial of fall prevention in COPD was conducted. Age and sex differences were analyzed for the Berg Balance scale (BBS), Balance Evaluation System Test (BEST test) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC). Overall, 223 individuals with COPD were included. Females had higher balance impairments than males [BBS: mean (SD) = 47 (8) vs. 49 (6) points; BEST test: 73 (16) vs. 80 (16) points], and a lower confidence to perform functional activities [ABC = 66 (21) vs. 77 (19)]. Compared to a younger age (50-65 years) group, age >65 years was moderately associated with poor balance control [BBS (r = - 0.37), BEST test (r = - 0.33)] and weakly with the ABC scale (r = - 0.13). After controlling for the effect of balance risk factors, age, baseline dyspnea index (BDI), and the 6-min walk test (6-MWT) explained 38% of the variability in the BBS; age, sex, BDI, and 6-MWT explained 40% of the variability in the BEST test; And BDI and the 6-MWT explained 44% of the variability in the ABC scale. This study highlights age and sex differences in balance outcomes among individuals with COPD at risk of falls. Recognition of these differences has implications for pulmonary rehabilitation and fall prevention in COPD, particularly among females and older adults.

link

COPD 2022; 19(1): 166-173

COPD