One of the useful aspects of seeing gait and thyroid related is that there have been many studies of gait which have used computerised analysis (e.g. of video or of weight sensors under walking surfaces). Maybe some of these could translate to being implemented on what is now very basic equipment - like a smartphone?
I am always looking for simple but clear things that could be analysed and measured to indicate not only thyroid, but many other disorders.
Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 14;6:38912. doi: 10.1038/srep38912.
Gait patterns associated with thyroid function: The Rotterdam Study.
Bano A1,2,3, Chaker L1,2,3,4, Darweesh SK3,4, Korevaar TI1,2, Mattace-Raso FU1,5, Dehghan A3, Franco OH3, van der Geest JN6, Ikram MA3,7,8, Peeters RP1,2,3.
Author information
1Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
2Rotterdam Thyroid Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
3Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
4Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
5Section of Geriatric Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
6Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
7Department of Neurology, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
8Department of Radiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
Gait is an important health indicator and poor gait is strongly associated with disability and risk of falls. Thyroid dysfunction is suggested as a potential determinant of gait deterioration, but this has not been explored in a population-based study. We therefore investigated the association of thyroid function with gait patterns in 2645 participants from the Rotterdam Study with data available on TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), FT4 (free thyroxine) and gait, without known thyroid disease or dementia. The primary outcome was Global gait (standardized Z-score), while secondary outcomes included gait domains (Rhythm, Variability, Phases, Pace, Base of support, Tandem, Turning) and velocity. Gait was assessed by electronic walkway. Multivariable regression models revealed an inverted U-shaped association of TSH (p < 0.001), but no association of FT4 concentrations with Global gait (p = 0.2). TSH levels were positively associated with Base of support (p = 0.01) and followed an inverted U-shaped curve with Tandem (p = 0.002) and velocity (p = 0.02). Clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism were associated with worse Global gait than euthyroidism (β = -0.61; CI = -1.03, -0.18; p = 0.004 and β = -0.13; CI = -0.26, -0.00; p = 0.04, respectively). In euthyroid participants, higher thyroid function was associated with worse gait patterns. In conclusion, both low and high thyroid function are associated with alterations in Global gait, Tandem, Base of support and velocity.
PMID: 27966590
DOI: 10.1038/srep38912