Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: In our research we studied changes of gait and balance parameters and falls frequency in obese patients during weight loss.

Materials and methods: We examined 37 patients aged 23–69 years (average age 53.6±11.1 years) with BMI ≥35 kg/m² (average BMI 40.9±9.3 kg/m²). All patients received recommendations to adhere hypocaloric diet and perform physical exercises in order to reduce body weight. We evaluated baseline body weight, BMI, the number of falls for 3 months, 10 meters walk test along a flat surface, Romberg test and stabilometry (Stabilan - 01) were conducted.

Results: After 3 months, the average body weight in the group decreased from 124.1±26.6 kg to 118.1±23.4 kg, P=0.022 (95% CI: 2.78, 9.22), the number of falls for 3 months reduced from 0.14±0.34 to 0, P=0.023 (95% CI: 0.02; 0.25), the results of 10 m walk test decreased from 113.0±8.82 m/sec to 105.5±3.03 m/ses, P=0.005 (95% CI: 2.86, 12.14). According to the stabilometry data the coefficient of stability improved from 113.5±9.11% to 104.0±2.16%, P=0.012 (95% CI: 3.035, 16.10), deviation of the pressure center in the sagittal and frontal plane decreased from 113.6±9.1 mm to 104.0±2.2 mm, P=0.01 (95% CI: 3.03, 16.1), the movement speed of the pressure center increased from 113.4±8.9 mm/sec to 104.0±2.2 mm/sec, P=0.01 (95% CI: 3.04; 15.81), speed index changed from 113.0±9.1 to 104.0±2.2, P=0.01 (95% CI: 3.0, 16.1) and overall rating movement reduced from 109.9±6.8 to 104.0±2.0, P=0.0037 (95% CI: 0.5; 11.2).

Conclusion: Weight loss in obese patients is associated with the decline of falls frequency, improvement of gait speed, statics and balance functions.

Keywords: obesity, gait speed, gait stability.