Role of musculoskeletal disorders in falls of postmenopausal women

We aimed to investigate the role of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) as risk factors for falls among postmenopausal women. Our results indicate that MSDs are common and are associated with increased falling risk, especially nonslip falls. Excess number of falls due to MSDs is greater than that due to any other disease class. PURPOSE: Falls are a major public health problem worldwide. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of MSDs as risk factors for falls among postmenopausal women. METHODS: This cohort study utilized data from a population-based, prospective cohort study (OSTPRE). The study population consisted of 8656 women aged 57-66 years (in 1999) living in Kuopio Province, Eastern Finland, who responded to postal enquiries in 1999 and 2004. Information on MSDs and other morbidities was obtained from the 1999 enquiry and information on falls from the 2004 enquiry. Women were classified as fallers or non-fallers according to their falling events in the preceding 12 months. The fallers were further divided into women with slip and nonslip falls. RESULTS: Of the study sample, 53.3% reported a MSD and 39.2% reported a fall during the preceding 12 months. MSDs predicted falls (OR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.26-1.50) and the association was stronger for nonslip (OR = 1.56; 95% CI 1.39-1.75) than slip falls (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.08-1.38) compared to the women without MSDs. The risk of falls increased with increasing number (1, 2, ≥ 3) of MSDs: 1.25 (95%CI 1.13-1.38), 1.48 (95%CI 1.30-1.68), and 1.92 (95%CI 1.60-2.31), respectively. After adjustments, the risk of falling related to MSDs reduced by about 5% (adjusted p < 0.001). The population attributable fraction of falls due to MSDs was 10.3% of all falls, greater than that due to any other disease class. CONCLUSION: MSDs are common and an important risk factor for falls and especially nonslip falls among postmenopausal women. The number of excess falls due to MSDs in this population group is greater than that due to any other disease class.