People with balance disorder more at risk of mortality, cancer, and CVD: JAMA

USA: People with balance disorder are at increased risk of death from all causes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the long term, finds a recent study in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery.

Difficulty in maintaining balance is usual in people aged 40 years or above and increases the risk of falls and serious injuries. However, not much is known about the association between balance function and long-term mortality outcomes in adults. Considering this, Chao Cao, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, and colleagues aimed to investigate the association of balance function with all-cause and cause-specific mortality among US adults.

For the purpose, the researchers conducted a prospective, population-based cohort study of a nationally representative sample of 5816 adults (weighted population, 92 260 641) from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2004. It included adults aged 40 years or older who completed the modified Romberg Test of Standing Balance on Firm and Compliant Support Surfaces -- used to measure balance function and define balance disorder according to sensory input.