Open AccessThe correlation between white matter hyperintensity and balance disorder and fall risk: An observational, prospective cohort study
Author(s) -
Shen DongChao,
Wu ShuoLin,
Shi YuZhi,
Wang Shuo,
Zhang YuMei,
Wang ChunXue
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
chronic diseases and translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2589-0514
DOI - 10.1016/j.cdtm.2016.11.008
Subject(s) - medicine , berg balance scale , posturography , balance (ability) , hyperintensity , gait , prospective cohort study , physical therapy , falls in older adults , timed up and go test , physical medicine and rehabilitation , chinese people , observational study , poison control , injury prevention , magnetic resonance imaging , china , political science , law , radiology , environmental health
Objective The presence of an association between white matter hyperintensity (WMH) and the risk of falls in older people is uncertain, with little supporting prospective evidence available at present. We aimed to determine whether WMH was associated with dysfunctions of balance and gait, and other sensorimotor factors leading to falls, and the independent factors related to falls in older Chinese people. The protective effect of exercise against falls was also addressed. Methods In a representative sample of hospital‐based individuals aged 50 years and older in China, the patients' history of falls, magnetic resonance imaging data, scores on the 9‐item Berg Balance Scale (BBS‐9) test and timed up‐and‐go test (TUGT), and sensorimotor measures of computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) were analyzed. Incident falls were recorded prospectively over a 12‐month period. Using regression modeling, the association between the risk of falls and baseline WMH was estimated. Results Only individuals with severe WMH were at an increased risk of falls, and CDP was more sensitive than BBS‐9 in detecting WMH‐related balance and gait dysfunction. However, WMH was not an independent predictor of falls. Taller height and overweight or obese body habitus were identified as novel protective factors for falls. Female, fall history, and increased TUGT score were identified as independent risk factors for falls in older Chinese people. Conclusion Although WMH was associated with an increased risk of falls, it was not an independent predictor.