Abstract:

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the role of balance and osteosarcopenia in the estimation of fall risk in the elderly admitted to the geriatrics outpatient clinic.

Methods: Patients admitted to the outpatient geriatric clinic were included in the study. The bone mineral density of 205 participants included in the study was evaluated by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), muscle mass bioimpedance analysis (BIA), Tinetti balance, and gait assessment (TBGA), balance and gait. Osteosarcopenia was defined as sarcopenia plus osteoporosis/osteopenia. Patients were divided into 4 groups according to BIA and DXA data.

Results: Osteosarcopenia was detected in 27 (13.2%) of all participants. In addition, while the number of falls was higher in the osteosarcopenia group than in the other groups, the calf circumference, ECC, and TBGA scores were significant. According to the TBGA score, the risk of falling was found to be high in one of every three patients. TBGA scores (p<0.001, OR=1.912 [1.596-2.291]) and calf circumference (p=0.013, OR=1.159 [1.032-1.301]) were found to be independent variables in the development of falls.

Conclusion: In this study, it was found that osteoporosis/osteopenia and sarcopenia were common in elderly patients, while balance, handgrip strength, calf circumference, and age were predictors of falling. Considering that with the aging global population, both sarcopenia and osteoporosis will become more common and therefore an increase in falls, our findings have shown that the parameters determined in the follow-up and treatment of elderly patients can be easily used in the early detection of fall risk.

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