Vitamin D status, trunk muscle strength, body sway, falls, and fractures among 237 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

aim of this study was to identify factors associated with fractures in pati ents with postmenopausal osteoporosis. The overall hypothesis was that trun k muscle strength, body sway and hypovitaminosis D would influence daily ac tivities and the likelihood of falls and fractures. - In 237 women (mean ag e 62.9 +/- 7.4 years) osteoporosis was defined by a T-score at the femoral neck below -2.5 SD. Trunk muscle strength was determined using isokinetic d ynamometry and body sway was measured according to Lord et al. Limitations in everyday life were assessed and the history of falls was documented. A f racture was defined as a vertebral height reduction of more than 20% or at least 4 mm. The assessment was carried out using the Spine Deformity Index (SDI) and was confirmed by an experienced radiologist. Pearson coefficients of correlation were calculated. - After correction for age, significant as sociations were found for body sway and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (p<0.001), body sway and falls (p<0.001), body sway and rib fractures (p<0.01), trunk musc le strength and limitations in everyday life (p<0.001), trunk muscle streng th and SDI (p<0.001), trunk muscle strength and bone density (p<0.001), and bone density and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (p<0.001). No significant correlation was found for trunk muscle strength and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (p=0.712). - F indings suggest that hypovitaminosis D is associated with increased body sw ay and an elevated risk for falls and falls-related fractures. Musculoskele tal rehabilitation should include strengthening exercises for the trunk mus cles and training of neuromuscular co-ordination and balance.