Clinical characteristics of locomotive syndrome categorised by the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale: a systematic review

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compile the currently available evidence on the clinical characteristics of the locomotive syndrome (LS) categorised by the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) and clarify its clinical usefulness for assessing mobility function.Design Systematic review.Data sources The PubMed and Google Scholar were searched for the relevant studies on 20 March 2022.Eligibility criteria We included relevant peer-reviewed articles, available in English language, on clinical LS characteristics categorised with the GLFS-25.Data extraction and synthesis Pooled ORs or mean differences (MDs) of the LS groups were calculated and compared with the non-LS groups for each clinical characteristic.Results In total, 27 studies that involve 13 281 participants (LS, n=3385; non-LS, n=9896) were examined in this analysis. Older age (MD 4.71; 95% (CI) 3.97 to 5.44; p<0.00001), female gender (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.38 to 1.71; p<0.00001), higher body mass index (MD 0.78; 95% CI 0.57 to 0.99; p<0.00001), osteoporosis (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.32 to 2.13; p<0.0001), depression (OR 3.14; 95% CI 1.81 to 5.44; p<0.0001), lower lumbar lordosis angle (MD −7.91; 95% CI −10.08 to −5.74; p<0.00001), higher spinal inclination angle (MD 2.70; 95% CI 1.76 to 3.65; p<0.00001), lower grip strength (MD −4.04; 95% CI −5.25 to −2.83; p<0.00001), lower back muscle strength (MD −15.32; 95% CI −23.83 to −6.81; p=0.0004), lower maximum stride (MD −19.36; 95% CI −23.25 to −15.47; p<0.00001), higher timed up-and-go (MD 1.36; 95% CI 0.92 to 1.79; p<0.00001), lower one-leg standing time (MD −19.13; 95% CI −23.29 to −14.97; p<0.0001) and slower normal gait speed (MD −0.20; 95% CI −0.22 to −0.18; p<0.0001) were found to be associated with LS. No significant differences were noted in other clinical characteristics between the two groups.Conclusions GLFS-25 is clinically useful for assessing mobility function according to the evidence available on the clinical characteristics of LS categorised by the GLFS-25 questionnaire items until.