Association between Gait Speed and Balance Disorders in Older Adults from 12 High Andean Peruvian Communities, 2013–2019

Background: Gait speed is associated with a higher prevalence of balance disorders in older adults residing at high altitudes. This study investigated this association in older adults from 12 high-altitude Andean Peruvian communities. Methods: We performed a secondary data analysis from an analytical cross-sectional study of adults >60 years of age, residing in 12 high-altitude Andean Peruvian communities, enrolled between 2013 and 2019. The exposure and outcome variables were gait speed (categorized in tertiles), and balance disorders (defined as a functional reach value of ≤20.32 cm), respectively. We built generalized linear models of the Poisson family with a logarithmic link function and robust variances, and estimated crude prevalence ratios (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: We analyzed 418 older adults; 38.8% (n=162) were male, and the mean age was 73.2±6.9 years. The mean gait speed and functional reach were 0.66±0.24 m/s and 19.9±6.48 cm, respectively. In the adjusted regression model, the intermediate (aPR=1.88; 95% CI, 1.39–2.55; p<0.001) and low (aPR=2.04; 95% CI, 1.51–2.76; p<0.001) tertiles of gait speed were associated with a higher prevalence of balance disorders. Conclusion: The intermediate and low tertiles of gait speed were associated with a higher prevalence of balance disorders among older adult residents of 12 high-altitude Andean communities. We recommend further research on the behavior of this association to propose interventions for these vulnerable groups and reduce the impact of geriatric conditions.