Predicting fall risks in an elderly population: computer dynamic posturography versus electronystagmography test results. 2001

M Girardi, and H R Konrad, and M Amin, and L F Hughes
Division of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9662, USA. mgirardi@siumed.edu

OBJECTIVE Falls are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality for persons aged 65 years and older, with more than 2 million people falling and sustaining serious injury annually. This study compared computer dynamic posturography (CDP) and electronystagmography (ENG) results as predictors of falls. METHODS Retrospective. METHODS Thirty-three patients over the age of 65 years who presented to a balance disorders and falls prevention clinic were used for this study (22 women and 11 men, with an average age of 78.0 y and a mean fall rate of 3.5 times). All had experienced at least one fall in the year before visiting the clinic and were tested with both CDP and ENG. The CDP results were divided into subcategories (sensory organization testing and limits of stability); ENG results were divided into four categories (ocular motor, rotational chair, positional, and caloric studies). RESULTS Test findings were classified as normal or abnormal based on age-matched normative data. Of the patients in the study, 27.3% were normal for one type of testing and abnormal for the other. Twenty-six patients (78.8%) had abnormal results on CDP, and 20 individuals (60.6%) showed ENG abnormalities (42.4% for ocular motor, 28.6% for positional, 13.6% for caloric, and 11.2% for rotational chair studies). The limits of stability category was significant in predicting multiple falls. CONCLUSIONS For this population, CDP was determined to be a more sensitive test for identifying patients who have fallen, with limits of stability testing the most significant part of the CDP battery; for ENG studies, the best falls indicator was the ocular motor battery.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011187 Posture The position or physical attitude of the body. Postures
D011237 Predictive Value of Tests In screening and diagnostic tests, the probability that a person with a positive test is a true positive (i.e., has the disease), is referred to as the predictive value of a positive test; whereas, the predictive value of a negative test is the probability that the person with a negative test does not have the disease. Predictive value is related to the sensitivity and specificity of the test. Negative Predictive Value,Positive Predictive Value,Predictive Value Of Test,Predictive Values Of Tests,Negative Predictive Values,Positive Predictive Values,Predictive Value, Negative,Predictive Value, Positive
D003936 Diagnosis, Computer-Assisted Application of computer programs designed to assist the physician in solving a diagnostic problem. Computer-Assisted Diagnosis,Computer Assisted Diagnosis,Computer-Assisted Diagnoses,Diagnoses, Computer-Assisted,Diagnosis, Computer Assisted
D004584 Electronystagmography Recording of nystagmus based on changes in the electrical field surrounding the eye produced by the difference in potential between the cornea and the retina. Electronystagmographies
D004856 Postural Balance A POSTURE in which an ideal body mass distribution is achieved. Postural balance provides the body carriage stability and conditions for normal functions in stationary position or in movement, such as sitting, standing, or walking. Postural Control,Posture Balance,Posture Control,Posture Equilibrium,Balance, Postural,Musculoskeletal Equilibrium,Postural Equilibrium,Balance, Posture,Control, Postural,Control, Posture,Equilibrium, Musculoskeletal,Equilibrium, Postural,Equilibrium, Posture,Postural Controls,Posture Balances,Posture Controls,Posture Equilibriums
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000058 Accidental Falls Falls due to slipping or tripping which may result in injury. Falls, Accidental,Falling,Falls,Slip and Fall,Accidental Fall,Fall and Slip,Fall, Accidental
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly

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