ArticleThe journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences2026
Association of systemic inflammation with balance and falls in older adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Mendelian randomization study.
Article in The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Estrogen deprivation induces hepatic inflammation, Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase 1, tryptophan catabolism, and plasma cholesterol.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Inflammation-associated brain functional network topological disruption in female nurses with SWSD: associations with symptoms and transcriptomics.Frontiers in immunology · 2026Article
- Human lncRNA, hLinfRNA7 (IDO1-AS) Regulates Cytokine Expression, Tryptophan Catabolism, and Inflammatory Response in Macrophage.Molecular and cellular biology · 2026Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundFalls are a leading cause of morbidity in older adults, with emerging evidence suggesting that systemic inflammation may contribute to this risk. C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of inflammation, has been linked to various health issues, including declines in physical function. However, its direct influence on balance and fall risk remains uncertain. This study investigates the association between CRP levels and balance using observational data and Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore its causal role in fall risk.
methodsWe analyzed data from the 2021-2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), including 1215 participants aged 60 and older. CRP levels were measured using immunoturbidimetric assays, and balance was assessed via the Modified Romberg Test. We used multivariable ordinal logistic regression models to evaluate the relationship between CRP and balance, adjusting for demographic, health, and lifestyle factors. Genetic instruments for CRP were derived from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and MR analysis was performed using fall risk summary statistics (2215 cases, 6289 controls).
resultsIn the NHANES cohort, higher CRP levels were associated with poorer balance (β = -0.201, p = .007). This association was stronger in males but not in females. MR analysis confirmed a causal link between elevated CRP and increased fall risk (OR = 1.13, p = 8.96 × 10-8), with no evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity.
conclusionsour findings highlight CRP as a key factor influencing balance and a causal contributor to fall risk in older adults, suggesting that anti-inflammatory interventions may help reduce fall risk.
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