Hyperkyphotic Posture Predicts Mortality in Older
Community-dwelling Men and Women: A Prospective Study

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   J Am Geriatr Soc 2004 (Oct); 52 (10): 662—1667

Kado DM, Huang MH, Karlamangla AS, Barrett-Connor E, Greendale GA

Division of Geriatrics,
Department of Medicine,
David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California,
Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
dkado@mednet.ucla.edu

---

OBJECTIVES:   To determine the association between hyperkyphotic posture and rate of mortality and cause-specific mortality in older persons.

DESIGN:   Prospective cohort study.

SETTING:   Rancho Bernardo, California.

PARTICIPANTS:   Subjects were 1,353 participants from the Rancho Bernardo Study who had measurements of kyphotic posture made at an osteoporosis visit between 1988 and 1991.

MEASURES:   Kyphotic posture was measured as the number of 1.7-cm blocks that needed to be placed under the participant's head to achieve a neutral head position when lying supine on a radiology table. Demographic and clinical characteristics and health behaviors were assessed at a clinic visit using standard questionnaires. Participants were followed for an average of 4.2 years, with mortality and cause of death confirmed using review of death certificates.

RESULTS:   Hyperkyphotic posture, defined as requiring one or more blocks under the occiput to achieve a neutral head position while lying supine, was more common in men than women (44% in men, 22% of women, P<.0001). In age- and sex-adjusted analyses, persons with hyperkyphotic posture had a 1.44 greater rate of mortality (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.12-1.86, P=.005). In multiply adjusted models, the increased rate of death associated with hyperkyphotic posture remained significant (relative hazard=1.40, 95% CI=1.08-1.81, P=.012). In cause-specific mortality analyses, hyperkyphotic posture was specifically associated with an increased rate of death due to atherosclerosis.

CONCLUSION:   Older men and women with hyperkyphotic posture have higher mortality rates.

Return to FORWARD HEAD POSTURE

Since 4-01-2006