Factors Associated With Walking Speed in Female Patients Attending Osteoporosis Outpatient Clinics: A Cross-Sectional Study of Sagittal Spinal Alignment, Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures, and Handgrip Strength.

Objective Walking speed is an important indicator of physical function and is associated with adverse outcomes such as falls and mortality. This study aimed to examine the associations between walking speed and sagittal spinal alignment, osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF), and handgrip strength in female patients aged 60 years or older attending osteoporosis outpatient clinics. Methods This exploratory cross-sectional study included 102 female patients aged ≥60 years with confirmed osteoporosis who attended osteoporosis outpatient clinics. Walking speed, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), OVF, handgrip strength, age, BMI, and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed using data from all 102 participants, with walking speed as the dependent variable. Results In the multivariable model, OVF (B = -0.1484, p < 0.001), SVA (B = -0.00307, p < 0.001), and handgrip strength (B = 0.0178, p = 0.002) were significantly associated with walking speed, whereas BMI, age, and lumbar BMD were not. The model had an R² of 0.478 and an adjusted R² of 0.446. Conclusion Walking speed in female patients aged 60 years or older attending osteoporosis outpatient clinics was associated with sagittal spinal alignment, OVF, and handgrip strength. These findings suggest that sagittal spinal alignment, vertebral fracture, and handgrip strength may be relevant factors to consider when interpreting reduced walking speed in this population.