Inflammatory mediators and the risk of falls among older women with acute low back pain: data from Back Complaints in the Elders (BACE)-Brazil.

Purpose: To investigate the association between plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1-β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and the soluble TNF receptor 1 [sTNF-R1]), disability, and risk of falls in older women with acute low back pain (LBP).

Methods: This cross-sectional study comprised a subsample of older women from the Back Complaints in the Elders international cohort study. Plasma levels of IL-1-β, IL-6, TNF-α, and sTNF-R1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Pain was assessed using the Numerical Pain Scale and McGill Pain Questionnaire, while disability was measured using the Roland Morris Questionnaire and gait speed. Risk of falls was estimated using the Physiological Profile Assessment. Linear regression model was used to verify the association between independent variables and fall risk.

Results: One hundred and ten women (aged 69.97 ± 5.5 years) with acute LBP were included. The regression model showed an association between the risk of falls and IL-6 levels, pain, gait speed, and years of education. It also explained 21.2% of risk of falls variance. The model equation was: fall risk = 1.28 + (0.19 IL-6) + (0.02 quality of pain) + (- 0.71 gait speed) + (-0 .17 educational level).

Conclusions: This study showed an association between risk of falls and IL-6, pain, gait speed, and educational level in older women with LBP. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.