There is a lack of strong evidence for any potential modifiable risk factors or associated factors. Factors with lower levels of support may be of interest in designing prevention programmes but require further research in high-quality, prospective studies.

Objective: Despite high prevalence estimates, chronic low back pain (CLBP) remains poorly understood among older adults. Movement-evoked pain (MeP) is an understudied factor in this population that may importantly contribute to disability. This study investigated whether a novel MeP paradigm contributed to selfreported and performance-based function in older adults with CLBP.Materials and Methods: This secondary analysis includes baseline data from 230 older adults with CLBP in the context of a prospective cohort study. The Repeated Chair Rise Test, Six Minute Walk Test, and Stair Climbing Test were used to elicit pain posttest LBP ratings were aggregated to yield the MeP variable. Selfreported and performance-based function were measured by the Late Life Function and Disability Index (LLFDI) scaled function score and Timed Up-and-Go Test (TUG), respectively. Robust regression with HC3 standard errors was used to model adjusted associations between MeP and both functional outcomes; age, sex, body mass index, and pain characteristics (ie, intensity, quality, and duration) were utilized as covariates.Results: MeP was present in 81.3% of participants, with an average rating of 5.09 (SD = 5.4). Greater aggregated posttest MeP was associated with decreased LLFDI scores (b = −0.30, t = −2.81, P = 0.005) and poorer TUG performance (b = 0.081, t = 2.35, P = 0.020), independent of covariates. LBP intensity, quality and duration were not associated with the LLFDI or TUG, (all P > 0.05).Discussion: Aggregated posttest MeP independently contributed to worse self-reported and performance-based function among older adults with CLBP. To understand long-term consequences of MeP, future studies should examine longitudinal associations between MeP and function in this population.

Background Older adults with concurrent low back and hip pain are predisposed to reductions in physical performance and health-related quality of life. Yet no study to date has assessed whether or not coexisting hip impairments increase fall risk in older adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The objective of this study was to determine if hip osteoarthritis (OA) signs and symptoms per American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria are associated with fall risk over a 1-year span. Methods Falls were prospectively monitored for 1 year via fall calendars. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), anxiolytic use, balance confidence, LBP-related disability, and prior fall history were identified as covariates. Hip pain, pain with hip internal rotation (IR), hip IR range of motion (ROM) ≥ 15°, and morning stiffness lasting ≤ 60 min were evaluated at baseline and summed to represent hip OA impairment burden. A generalized linear model with a Poisson distribution and log link function assessed the association between ACR criteria and fall risk beyond established covariates. As a secondary analysis, binary logistic regression assessed ACR criteria and the odds of falling two or more times within a year. Results Data from two-hundred and ten participants were analyzed. Hip OA signs and symptoms were present in 97.1% of the participants, and hip OA impairment burden was significantly greater (p < 0.050) in participants who fell ≥ 2 times compared to single and non-fallers. Higher hip OA impairment burden was associated with significantly increased fall risk (p = 0.001, risk ratio = 1.23, 95% CI 1.09–1.38) and odds of falling multiple times (p < 0.05, odds ratio = 1.41, 95% CI 1.01–1.95) after adjustment for covariates. Conclusions Older adults with CLBP and concomitant hip impairments are an at-risk group for falling. Healthcare professionals should employ falls screening and preventive measures to avoid negative sequelae in this vulnerable population.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether poor hip range of motion (ROM) and strength predict 12-month physical function decline among older adults with chronic low back pain (LBP) and whether hip osteoarthritis modifies those relationships.Methods. At baseline, passive ROM and strength measurements were taken for hip flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, and external rotation; ultrasound images and self-reported symptoms were used to evaluate hip osteoarthritis presence (eg, osteophytes and hip pain). At baseline and 12 months, performance-based (repeated chair rise, self-selected gait speed, 6-minute walk test [6MWT]) and self-reported (Quebec LBP Disability Questionnaire, Late-Life Function & Disability Instrument [LLFDI] basic and advanced lower extremity scales) physical function outcomes were assessed. Regression models were constructed for each outcome predicted by baseline hip ROM and strength measures, with adjustment for potential covariates. To avoid collinearity, hip ROM and strength measures with the strongest unadjusted correlations were included in final models. The hip osteoarthritis presence by hip ROM/strength interaction was also explored.Results. Hip abduction strength predicted repeated chair rise (β = −0.297, P < 0.001), gait speed (β = 0.160, P = 0.003), 6MWT (β = 0.159, P ≤ 0.001), Quebec LBP Disability Questionnaire (β = −0.152, P = 0.003), and LLFDI basic lower extremity scale (β = 0.171, P = 0.005) outcomes. Regarding hip ROM, extension predicted repeated chair rise (β = −0.110, P = 0.043) and LLFDI advanced lower extremity scale (β = 0.090, P = 0.007) outcomes, external rotation predicted gait speed (β = 0.122, P = 0.004) outcomes, and abduction predicted LLFDI basic lower extremity scale (β = 0.114, P = 0.026) outcomes. The hip osteoarthritis interaction was not significant for any model.Conclusion. Reduced hip strength and ROM predict physical function decline; hip osteoarthritis presence may not modify these relationships.The contents of this article are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

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