Epidemiology Of Osteoporotic Fractures In The Very Frail Elderly: Risk Factors, Quality Of Life And Mortality
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$340,550.00
Summary
Osteoporosis, a disease characterised by skeletal fragility, is a major public health problem. The direct costs alone of treating osteoporotic fractures have been estimated at more than $800 million in Australia. Hip fractures are the most costly to treat and are due to a fall or injury in over 90% of cases. The frail elderly are at particular risk of osteoporotic fractures but little is known about risk fractures in this 'at risk' group or the effect of fracture on quality of life. This study i ....Osteoporosis, a disease characterised by skeletal fragility, is a major public health problem. The direct costs alone of treating osteoporotic fractures have been estimated at more than $800 million in Australia. Hip fractures are the most costly to treat and are due to a fall or injury in over 90% of cases. The frail elderly are at particular risk of osteoporotic fractures but little is known about risk fractures in this 'at risk' group or the effect of fracture on quality of life. This study is examining risk factors for fractures in the frail and institutionalised older person by asessment of quantitative bone ultrasound, falls risk, vitamin D status and other biochemical markers of bone in an attempt to identify predictors that can be modified to reduce fractures, improve quality of life and reduce mortality due to osteoporotic fractures.Read moreRead less
Determinants Of Musculoskeletal And Other Diseases, Health Service Utilisation And Mortality In A Cohort Of Older Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$869,724.00
Summary
This longitudinal study aims to identify determinants of musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases, cognitive decline, mortality and health service utilisation with ageing in a cohort of well-characterised older women, whose health has been monitored since 1998. This study is unique in that it will have followed patients from mean age 75 to 90 years with longitudinal clinical data collected and complete ascertainment of health service utilisation through the WA Data Linkage System.
Impaired Stepping As A Risk Factor For Falls In Older People
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$564,727.00
Summary
Stepping is often the last protective option to prevent a fall. This study will investigate stepping responses as a risk factor for falls. Complementary studies of physiological and psychological contributions to stepping will also be conducted. A path model will be used to examine the relative importance of physiological, psychological and behvioural factors. An exercise program to imrpove stepping responses will be trialed. Findings will inform future interventions for preventing falls.
Improving Vision To Prevent Falls: A Randomized Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$403,892.00
Summary
More than 30% of older Australians fall over at least once a year. Poor eyesight, another very common problem among older Australians, increases the risk of falling. In fact, recent evidence from the Blue Mountains Eye Study suggests that poor vision is one of the strongest risk factors for falls and fractures yet identied. Our project is designed to assess whether improving vision will decrease the chance of falls and fractures. We will recruit 1200 people aged 75 years and over from among thos ....More than 30% of older Australians fall over at least once a year. Poor eyesight, another very common problem among older Australians, increases the risk of falling. In fact, recent evidence from the Blue Mountains Eye Study suggests that poor vision is one of the strongest risk factors for falls and fractures yet identied. Our project is designed to assess whether improving vision will decrease the chance of falls and fractures. We will recruit 1200 people aged 75 years and over from among those attending community-based aged care services in the inner western suburbs of Sydney. If they consent to participate, people will be randomly allocated to either an intervention or control group. Those in the intervention group will receive a simple, yet comprehensive, series of vision and eye tests. These tests will be done by an optometrist, either in subjects' homes or at the study centre. Our previous research suggests that nearly 50% of subjects will benefit from having new glasses and 10% might require cataract surgery. If necessary, treatment will be paid for from study funds. Some vision problems cannot be fixed. In these cases, an occupational therapist will arrange appropriate home modifications to improve vision-related function. Subjects will be followed-up for 12 months to assess the frequency of falls in the intervention and control groups. We hope to find a 33% reduction in falls in the intervention group. We will follow subjects for a further year to identify fractures.Read moreRead less
A reduced capacity to recover balance following an imbalance episode contributes to the high incidence of falls in older adults. The goal of the present study is to determine how age-related differences in lower extremity neuromuscular and biomechanical properties are related to balance recovery capacity and falls incidence. A detailed understanding of this relationship is necessary for the development of efficacious exercise-based interventions for the prevention of falls.