The influence of physical activity and fractures on ultrasound parameters in elderly people

In this cross-sectional study we investigated the relationship between ultrasound measurements in the calcaneus versus daily physical activity and fractures sustained in the past in elderly subjects. Ultrasound measurements were performed at both heels, which enabled us to examine determinants of differences between contralateral heels. Participants were 132 men and 578 women, aged 70 years and over (mean age and standard deviation (SD): 83 ± 6 years), living in homes for the elderly (n = 343) or apartment houses for the elderly (n = 367). Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS) were measured in the right and left calcaneus. The median difference (and interquartile range) between the two heels for BUA and SOS, expressed as a percentage of the mean value for each individual, was 9.6% (4.2-15.7%) and 1.0% (0.4-1.7%), corresponding to 25% and 40% of the study population SDI respectively. Greater differences in BUA between the two heels were associated with variables indicating poorer functional status, such as past fractures at the lower extremities. The level of daily physical activity was obtained by means of a questionnaire regarding household and leisure activities. Subsequently sumscores were calculated for daily physical activity and a subscore indicating weight-bearing physical activity. After adjustment for age, gender, residence, and body weight, physical activity scores were positively linearly related to both BUA and SOS. Each 5 point increase on the weight-bearing physical activity score, corresponding to, for example, walking for 2.5 h per week, was associated with a difference in BUA of 4.7 dB/MHz and in SOS of 5.1 m/s, which is similar to the differences associated with 10 kg higher body weight, or 10 years younger age. After the age of 50 years 47 subjects had fractured a hip, 61 subjects had sustained another lower extremity fracture, 104 subjects a wrist fracture, and 62 subjects another upper extremity fracture. After adjusting for age, gender and residence, odds ratios for all fracture types in the lowest terciles of BUA and SOS versus the highest terciles ranged from 1.9 to 3.8. This study showed significant differences in ultrasound measurements between the left and the right heel, indicating that measurements at both sides are necessary for optimal evaluation of bone strength. Furthermore, after careful adjustments, ultrasound parameters had higher values with higher daily physical activity in elderly subjects and discriminated subjects with a history of fracture from those without

Ultrasound measurements for the prediction of osteoporotic fractures in elderly people

In this prospective study we investigated the predictive value of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements and other potential predictors of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly. During a I-year period, 710 participants (132 men and 578 women), aged 70 years and older (mean age ± SD: 82.8 ± 5.9), were recruited from seven homes and apartment houses for the elderly. QUS measurements (broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS)) were assessed with a clinical bone densitometer. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on other potential predictors. Follow-up of fractures was done each half year by telephone interviews. During the study period (median follow-up 2.8 years, maximum 3.7 years), 30 participants had a first hip fracture and 54 suffered from a first other nonspinal fracture. Cox regression analyses, adjusted for age and sex, showed that the relative risk (RR) of hip fracture for each standard deviation reduction was 2.3 (95% CI, 1.4-3.7) for BUA and 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1-2.3) for SOS. Slightly weaker relationships were found for any fracture (BUA: RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.1; SOS: RR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.6). Multivariable analyses identified low BUA values and immobility as the strongest predictors for hip fractures and any fracture. Female gender proved to be the strongest predictor for other nonspinal fractures. It can be concluded that QUS measurements can predict the risk for hip fracture and any fracture in elderly people

Daily physical activity and the use of a walking aid in relation to falls in elderly people in a residential care setting

Physical activity is usually considered as an important com0ponent of a healthy lifestyle, including a preventive effect on the risk of falls in the elderly. The relationship between physical activity and falls is complex: physical activity is a prerequisite to maintain neuromuscular functioning, necessary to keep balance and to react to a fall, but a higher level of physical activity also implies a greater exposure to environmental threats, possibly leading to a fall. Related to this greater exposure to threats, the use of a walking aid may protect against falls in those who have impaired mobility. In this cross-sectional study we investigated the relationship between daily physical activity and falls and the use of a walking aid in elderly subjects. Participants were 131 men and 563 women, aged 70 years and over (mean age and standard deviation: 82 ± 6 years), living in homes for the elderly (n = 335) and apartment houses for elderly (n = 359). Data on baseline characteristics and falls in the previous year were obtained using a questionnaire. The level of daily physical activity in the previous year was obtained by means of a questionnaire regarding household and leisure activities. Subjects with a lower extremity fracture in the previous year were excluded from the analyses. Data were analysed using multiple logistic regression, adjusted for age, gender, and residence. In the past year, 40% of the participants fell at least one time, and 19% of the participants fell two times or more. Since falls and recurrent falls were nonlinearly related to the level of daily physical activity, the physical activity score was grouped into quartiles: the highest quartile corresponding to the highest activity level. Odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) for falls and recurrent falls for subjects in the highest quartile contrasted with those in the lowest quartile were 0.5 (0.3-0.9) and 0.3 (0.2-0.6), respectively. The risk of falls and recurrent falls was not lower for those with intermediate levels of daily physical activity. The use of a walking aid protected against falls in those with intermediate high activity levels (third quartile). It was suggested that the exposure to environmental hazards, due to some degree of physical activity may have been responsible for the nonlinear relationship between daily physical activity and falling. We conclude that a high activity level and the use of a walking aid may protect against falls

The reliability of perinatal and neonatal mortality rates: Differential under-reporting in linked professional registers vs. Dutch civil registers

Official Dutch perinatal mortality rates are based on birth and death certificates. These civil registration data are not detailed enough for international comparisons or extensive epidemiological research. In this study, we linked and extrapolated three national incomplete, professional registers from midwives, obstetricians and paediatricians, containing detailed perinatal information. This linkage and extrapolation resulted in one detailed professional database which is representative of all Dutch births and from which gestational age-specific perinatal mortality rates could be calculated. The reliability of these calculated mortality rates was established by comparing them with the rates derived from the national civil registers. The professional database reported more perinatal deaths and fewer late neonatal deaths than the civil registers. The underreporting in the civil registers amounted to 1.2 fewer perinatal deaths per 1000 births and was most apparent in immature newborns. We concluded that under-reporting of perinatal and neonatal deaths depends on the data source used. Mortality rates for the purpose of national and international comparison should, therefore, be defined with caution. This study also demonstrated that combining different incomplete professional registers can result in a more reliable database containing detailed perinatal information. Such databases can be used as the basis for extensive perinatal epidemiological research

Sportief bewegen voor mensen met multiple sclerose: ontwikkeling en toepassing van een sportief beweegprogramma

JG