Evaluation of locomotive disability using loco-check: a cross-sectional study in the Japanese general population

The purposes of this study were to reveal the prevalence of locomotive syndrome (LS) evaluated by loco-check in the Japanese general population and to analyze the relationship between radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and lumbar spondylosis, metabolic syndrome and LS. Furthermore, we evaluated LS according to functional examinations.

Seven hundred twenty-two volunteers aged 56.6 ± 13.6 years participated in the Iwaki Health Promotion Project in 2010 and were classified into two groups: LS (one or more disabilities) or non-LS (no disability) according to the criteria of LS proposed by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association. Radiographic knee OA and lumbar spondylosis were defined according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grade. Metabolic syndrome was defined as the presence of two or more risk factors in addition to visceral obesity. The prevalence of LS associated with knee OA, lumbar spondylosis and metabolic syndrome was compared statistically. Also, data of six functional examinations were compared between the non-LS and LS groups.

The prevalence of LS was 21.2 % in males and 35.6 % in females and increased with aging regardless of gender. The prevalence of LS with knee OA was 48.7 %, with lumbar spondylosis was 33.8 %, and with metabolic syndrome was 43.4 %. The non-LS group had significantly better performance in the functional reach and sit and reach tests than the LS group in males and females by age-adjusted comparison.

The prevalence of LS in the general population was higher in females than in males. A strong risk factor for LS was radiographic knee OA. Also, those with LS had loss of skeletal muscle mass, balancing and flexibility. This study showed that evaluation by loco-check was an acceptable tool to detect the early stage of locomotive disability for LS, and interventional prevention for strength, balancing and flexibility would be helpful for those with LS.