Age and Sex Differences in Balance Outcomes among Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) at Risk of Falls
Sanaa A. Alsubheen,
Marla Beauchamp,
Cindy Ellerton,
Roger Goldstein,
Jennifer Alison,
Gail Dechman,
Kimberley J. Haines,
Samantha Harrison,
Anne Holland,
Annemarie Lee,
Alda Marques,
Lissa Spencer,
Michael Stickland,
Elizabeth H. Skinner,
Dina Brooks
Affiliations
Sanaa A. Alsubheen
School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Science, McMaster University
Marla Beauchamp
School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Science, McMaster University
Cindy Ellerton
Department of Respiratory Medicine, West Park Healthcare Centre
Roger Goldstein
Department of Respiratory Medicine, West Park Healthcare Centre
Jennifer Alison
School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney
Gail Dechman
School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University
Kimberley J. Haines
Physiotherapy Department, Western Health
Samantha Harrison
School of Health and Social Care, Teesside University
Anne Holland
Department of Physiotherapy, Alfred Health
Annemarie Lee
Institute for Breathing and Sleep
Alda Marques
Lab3R-Respiratory Research and Rehabilitation Laboratory, School of Health Sciences (ESSUA) and Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), University of Aveiro
Lissa Spencer
Department of Physiotherapy, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital
Michael Stickland
Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta
Elizabeth H. Skinner
Physiotherapy Department, Western Health
Dina Brooks
Department of Allergy, Immunology and Respiratory Medicine, Monash University
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.
