Postural stability during standing and its association with physical and cognitive functions in non-dialysis chronic...

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterised by poor physical function. A possible factor may be aberrant changes to balance and postural stability (i.e. ability to maintain centre of pressure (COP)). Previous research has exclusively focused on patients undergoing renal replacement therapy (RRT). The current study investigated postural stability in a group of CKD patients not requiring RRT.

30 CKD patients (aged 57.0 ± 17.8 years, 47% female, mean eGFR 42.9 ± 27.2 ml/kg/1.73 m²) underwent a series of physical function assessments including the sit-to-stand-5 and -60, incremental shuttle walk test, gait speed, and short physical performance battery. Postural stability (defined as total COP ellipse (mm²) displacement) was measured using the Fysiometer board. Control reference data were provided by the manufacture. Cognitive function was assessed using the 'Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic' (MOCA-B)'.

CKD patients had poorer postural stability during quiet standing than reference values across all age categories (≤ 39 years, 24.9 ± 11.3 vs. 10.4 ± 1.8 mm²; 40-59 years, 34.3 ± 19.0 vs. 17.7 ± 6.2 mm²; ≥ 60 years, 39.7 ± 21.2 vs. 16.8 ± 2.9 mm², all comparisons P < 0.001). Reductions in postural stability were associated with both physical and cognitive functioning. In females only, postural stability worsened with declining renal function (r = - 0.790, P < 0.01).

To our knowledge, this is the first and largest experimental report concerning measurement of postural stability of CKD patients not requiring RRT. Our findings suggest that postural stability is associated with worse physical and cognitive functioning in this patient group.