ArticleBMC geriatrics2015
Associations between vertebral fractures, increased thoracic kyphosis, a flexed posture and falls in older adults: a prospective cohort study.
Article in BMC geriatrics, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 41 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
41 citing papers in PubMed, 87 citations in OpenAlex.
- Secondary analysis of change in physical function after exercise intervention in older adults with hyperkyphosis and low physical function.BMC geriatrics · 2021Trial
- Physiotherapy rehabilitation for osteoporotic vertebral fracture-a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation (PROVE trial).Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2020Trial
- Thoracic Kyphosis on Chest CT Scans Is Associated With Incident Vertebral Fractures in Smokers.Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research · 2019Trial
- Sex differences in response to targeted kyphosis specific exercise and posture training in community-dwelling older adults: a randomized controlled trial.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2017Trial
- Targeted spine strengthening exercise and posture training program to reduce hyperkyphosis in older adults: results from the study of hyperkyphosis, exercise, and function (SHEAF) randomized controlled trial.Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2017Trial
- The relationship between thoracic kyphosis and Q angle with balance and falls in patients with osteoporosis.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026Article
- The association between hyperkyphosis and physical function in geriatric outpatients with frailty.Archives of osteoporosis · 2026Article
- Gait and Stability Analysis of People After Osteoporotic Spinal Fractures Treated with Minimally Invasive Surgery.Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology · 2025Article
- Building Strong Foundations: Nonrandomized Interventional Study of a Novel, Digitally Delivered Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults.JMIR aging · 2025Article
- Balance and Gait Disorders in the Aged Population. Causes, Assessment and Management: A Literature Review.Clinical interventions in aging · 2025Review
- Investigating the relationship between sagittal spinal curvature and fall incidence and fall risk among elderly nursing home residents.Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2024Article
- Postoperative C-reactive protein levels correlate with reduced spinal column mobility after median sternotomy: a prospective cohort study.Journal of thoracic disease · 2024Article
- The seventh cervical vertebra is an appropriate landmark for thoracic kyphosis measures using distance from the wall.Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liao · 2023Article
- Is Thoracic Kyphosis Relevant to Pain, Autonomic Nervous System Function, Disability, and Cervical Sensorimotor Control in Patients with Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain?Journal of clinical medicine · 2023Article
- Dynamic Spine Hyperflexion Is Related to Vertebral Compression Fractures in Postmenopausal Women.Orthopaedic surgery · 2023Article
- Sarcopenia Is an Independent Risk Factor for Subsequent Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures Following Percutaneous Cement Augmentation in Elderly Patients.Journal of clinical medicine · 2022Article
- The association between hyperkyphosis and fall incidence among community-dwelling older adults.Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA · 2022Article
- The Association Between Physical Function and Hyperkyphosis in Older Females: Protocol for a Systematic Review.International journal of preventive medicine · 2022Review
- Thoracolumbar flexion dysfunction and thoracolumbar compression fracture in postmenopausal women: a single-center retrospective study.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2021Article
- The first reported fracture liaison service (FLS) for vertebral fractures in China: is muscle the missing gap?Archives of osteoporosis · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 4 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundVertebral fractures, an increased thoracic kyphosis and a flexed posture are associated with falls. However, this was not confirmed in prospective studies. We performed a prospective cohort study to investigate the association between vertebral fractures, increased thoracic kyphosis and/or flexed posture with future fall incidents in older adults within the next year.
methodsPatients were recruited at a geriatric outpatient clinic. Vertebral fractures were evaluated on lateral radiographs of the spine with the semi-quantitative method of Genant; the degree of thoracic kyphosis was assessed with the Cobb angle. The occiput-to-wall distance was used to determine a flexed posture. Self-reported falls were prospectively registered by monthly phone contact for the duration of 12 months.
resultsFifty-one older adults were included; mean age was 79 years (SD = 4.8). An increased thoracic kyphosis was independently associated with future falls (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.10-4.51). Prevalent vertebral fractures had a trend towards significancy (OR 3.67; 95% CI 0.85-15.9). A flexed posture was not significantly associated with future falls.
conclusionOlder adults with an increased thoracic kyphosis are more likely to fall within the next year. We suggest clinical attention for underlying causes. Because patients with increased thoracic curvature of the spine might have underlying osteoporotic vertebral fractures, clinicians should be aware of the risk of a new fracture.
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