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. 2015 Aug 7:10:1289-98.
doi: 10.2147/CIA.S86001. eCollection 2015.

Assessment of the risk of falling with the use of timed up and go test in the elderly with lower extremity osteoarthritis

Ewa Zasadzka  1 , Adrianna Maria Borowicz  1 , Magdalena Roszak  2 , Mariola Pawlaczyk  1
Affiliations

Assessment of the risk of falling with the use of timed up and go test in the elderly with lower extremity osteoarthritis

Ewa Zasadzka et al. Clin Interv Aging. .

Abstract

Background: Falling in the elderly results in a significant number of admissions to hospitals and long-term care facilities, especially among patients with lower extremity osteoarthritis (OA).

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the risk of falling in adults older than 60 years with OA using timed up and go (TUG) test.

Materials and methods: A total of 187 patients (aged >60 years) were enrolled in the study. The assessment included: basic activities of daily living (ADLs), lower extremity strength with the use of the 30-second chair stand test (30 CST), and assessment of the risk of falling (TUG test). Pain intensity was evaluated with the numeric rating scale (NRS).

Results: The TUG test results were significantly better in younger OA patients (aged 60-69 years), as compared with their older peers (aged 70-79 years; P<0.01) and the oldest group (aged >80 years; P<0.001). Also, the 30 CST results were significantly higher in younger OA patients (P<0.05). Subjects older than 80 years had a significantly worse ADL score (P<0.05 and P<0.001). Pain complaints were reported significantly more frequently by women than men (P<0.05). A correlation between age and the TUG test score (r=0.412; P<0.0004) as well as between the TUG test and the 30 CST scores (r=0.7368; P=0.000) was detected. In the group with the TUG test score of <13.5 seconds, the 30 CST (P<0.0001) and ADL (P<0.003) results were significantly better. A comparison of fallers vs nonfallers revealed that the number of falls was significantly higher in the group of subjects who scored ≥13.5 when compared to <13.5 (P=0.003). Fallers significantly more often reported pain (P<0.0001), whereas nonfallers had significantly better 30 CST results (P=0.0003).

Conclusion: Elderly population with OA is at an elevated risk of falling, which increases with progressing age, pain, and muscle weakness. It seems prudent to identify individuals at a high risk of falling and to propose an adequate treatment for them.

Keywords: elderly; osteoarthritis; risk of falling.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of the TUG test score with 30 CST, NRS, and ADL results. Abbreviations: TUG, timed up and go; 30 CST, 30-second chair stand test; NRS, numeric rating scale; ADL, activities of daily living.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The correlation between TUG test, 30 CST, and NRS. Abbreviations: TUG, timed up and go; 30 CST, 30-second chair stand test; NRS, numeric rating scale; ADL, activities of daily living.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Test results in the groups of fallers and nonfallers. Abbreviations: 30 CST, 30-second chair stand test; NRS, numeric rating scale; ADL, activities of daily living; BMI, body mass index.
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