Paris-based EOS imaging touts positive results in elderly fall prevention study

Image from EOS--Courtesy of EOS Imaging

Roughly one-third of people aged 64 or older fall at least once a year, with these events often becoming a precursor to more serious health problems for the elderly. EOS imaging has done an initial study of its system of correlating certain measures of spinal alignment to the risk of falling in elderly patients.

The study found that specific measures of sagittal balance, or spinal alignment, were associated with the risk of falling. The expectation is that this could led to a routine test to assess and work to improve an individual's risk of falling. The most common current clinical test for fall risk is a measurement of bone mineral density.

"The prevention of fall and fracture risk in the elderly is a public health priority and screening at-risk patients must be simple and reliable," Professor Christian Roux, Director of the Center for the Evaluation of Bone Diseases at Cochin Hospital in Paris where the 122-patient study was conducted, said in a statement. "The preliminary results obtained by the analysis of sagittal balance with EOS are extremely encouraging, especially in light of this need."

Data from the study are being presented at the French Rheumatology Congress in Paris, France from Dec. 13-15. The EOS platform offers 2-D and 3-D full-body, stereo-radiographic images of patients in functional positions. The radiation dose associated with EOS exams is 50% to 85% lower than digital radiology and 95% less than basic CT scans. This EOS Micro Dose system was cleared by FDA early last year.

"The analysis of sagittal balance and overall posture are emerging as key elements in the management of diseases related to ageing," said EOS CEO Marie Meynadier. "The results of this preliminary study show how EOS systems can be used for the first time in prevention and screening."

- here is the announcement