Preprint Review Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Falls Incidence and Associated Risk Factors among People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Version 1 : Received: 7 September 2022 / Approved: 8 September 2022 / Online: 8 September 2022 (10:35:01 CEST)

How to cite: Davoudi, M.; Shokouhyan, S.M.; Abedi, M.; Rezaei, M.; Parnianpour, M.; Khalaf, K.; Mazaheri, M. Falls Incidence and Associated Risk Factors among People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Preprints 2022, 2022090123. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202209.0123.v1 Davoudi, M.; Shokouhyan, S.M.; Abedi, M.; Rezaei, M.; Parnianpour, M.; Khalaf, K.; Mazaheri, M. Falls Incidence and Associated Risk Factors among People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Preprints 2022, 2022090123. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202209.0123.v1

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasingly being recognized as a systemic disease rather than a mere disorder of the lungs. Central (respiratory) and peripheral (limb) muscle weakness are among the main pronounced systemic effects of COPD. While the disease primarily affects the lower limb muscles and contributes to gait impairment, COPD is also associated with an increasing risk of falls in patients (COPDp). Previous studies have reported higher rates of falls among COPDp (1.17 to 1.20 falls/person-year), amounting to four times higher than an age-matched healthy group. Potential fall risk factors include muscle weakness, impaired daily activities, cognitive dysfunction, and gait and balance impairment. Although COPDp often manifest many of these risk factors, there remains a gap in literature regarding falls during walking in this population. This study aimed to 1. analyze the literature to identify the risk factors of falling in COPDp, and 2. investigate the underlying mechanisms by which these risk factors can lead to increased prevalence of falling. The results suggest that in addition to the known risk factors of falling, low back pain and mental fatigue should also be considered as relevant risk factors in the treatment process of these patients. Moreover, respiratory problems, which are common in this population, have demonstrated pronounced effects on energy expenditure, gait, and other types of activities of daily living (ADLs), leading to reduced intensity, disrupted coordination of the trunk-pelvic structure with the lower limbs during gait, and altered motor control performance due to activation of muscles in an inefficient synergic manner. These problems potentially lead to the increased vulnerability of these patients to external disturbances and higher incidence risk of falls and injuries. Cognitive problems, which are typically due to reduced oxygen received by the brain, as well as general inflammation caused by COPD, also play a significant role in gait disruption and balance. Future research is warranted to determine the prevalence of falls in COPDp by examining the response of these patients to Medio-Lateral (ML) and Anterior-Posterior (AP) disturbances during gait in association with traditional and recommended fall risk factors.

Keywords

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; COPD; fall risk factor; gait; balance; cognition; daily activity; muscle dysfunction

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Pathology and Pathobiology

Comments (0)

We encourage comments and feedback from a broad range of readers. See criteria for comments and our Diversity statement.

Leave a public comment
Send a private comment to the author(s)
* All users must log in before leaving a comment
Views 0
Downloads 0
Comments 0
Metrics 0


×
Alerts
Notify me about updates to this article or when a peer-reviewed version is published.
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here.