Effect of Haemodialysis on Leg Extensor Power and Postural Sway in Older Haemodialysis Patients: Pilot study

Abstract

S Mockett Division of Physiotherapy Education, University of Nottingham Introduction As both the surviving and newly referred haemodialysis population become more elderly (Ansell and Feest, 2001), we are increasingly seeing the effects of haemodialysis against a background of the normal problems of ageing. Patients on haemodialysis programmes are at increased risk of hip fracture (Alem et al, 2000) and their subsequent morbidity and mortality is more severe (Coco and Coco, 2000). These fractures are occurring in patients with heterogeneous and advanced renal bone disease and multiple co-morbidities, but the reason for the acute event is not clear. It has been shown that the demographic and other characteristics that predict risk of hip fracture in the general population also do so in end-stage renal failure (Stehman-Breen et al, 2000). Falls prevalence correlates with fracture prevalence in the general elderly population. The prevalence of falls and their aetiology is not known in the haemodialysis population but is currently under investigation. This present study sought to investigate the effect of dialysis on parameters believed to be associated with falls risk, namely power of the extensor musculature of the leg, postural sway and the timed get-up-and-go test.