Risk Factors for Locomotive Syndrome in Brazilian Older Adults: A Nested Case-Control Study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Orthopedics
• Public Health

Background:

• Locomotive syndrome (LS) poses a significant threat to the mobility and independence of older adults.
• Identifying specific risk factors in the oldest old population is crucial for targeted interventions.
• The Longevos Project cohort provides a valuable dataset for studying aging-related conditions in Brazil.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the risk factors associated with locomotive syndrome (LS) in Brazilian individuals aged 80 years and older.
• To investigate the prevalence of conditions like osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and chronic pain in relation to LS.
• To analyze the association between physical performance, quality of life, and LS diagnosis.

Main Methods:

• A nested case-control study was conducted within the Longevos Project cohort.
• Participants underwent physical assessments including sit-to-stand tests, grip strength, gait speed, and two-step tests.
• Locomotive syndrome was diagnosed using the Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25-p), and sarcopenia using SARC-F.

Main Results:

• The study included 52 participants (mean age 89.3 years), with 24 diagnosed with LS.
• Individuals with LS showed higher prevalence of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, depression, and use of walking devices.
• Multivariate analysis identified osteoporosis (OR 10.80) and moderate-to-severe chronic musculoskeletal pain (OR 8.92) as significant risk factors for LS.

Conclusions:

• Osteoporosis and chronic musculoskeletal pain are major independent risk factors for locomotive syndrome in the oldest old Brazilian population.
• Early identification and management of these conditions may help prevent or delay the onset of LS.
• Further research should focus on developing targeted prevention strategies for locomotive syndrome in elderly individuals.