Male-female disparity in clinical features and significance of mild vertebral fractures in community-dwelling residents aged 50 and over.

This investigation examined the clinical implications of mild vertebral fractures in older community-dwelling residents. Focusing on the locomotion health of older individuals, the earlier reported Obuse study enrolled 415 randomly sampled Japanese residents aged between 50 and 89 years, 411 of whom underwent X-ray evaluations for pre-existing vertebral fractures. A blinded assessment of vertebral fractures based on Genant's criteria was conducted on the T5-L5 spine for rating on a severity scale. Grade 1 mild fractures were not linked to age in males, but increased with aging in females. Female participants had fewer Grade 1 and 2 fractures (P = 0.003 and 0.035, respectively) but more Grade 3 fractures (P = 0.013) than did males independently of age (Grade 1, 2, and 3: 25%, 16%, and 9% in females and 40%, 22%, and 6% in males, respectively). Weak negative correlations were observed between the number of fractures and bone mineral density in females for all fracture grades (Spearman's rho: 0.23 to 0.36, P < 0.05). Our study showed that Grade 1 mild vertebral fractures in males lacked pathological significance, while in females they potentially indicated fragility fractures and were related to poor lumbopelvic alignment.

Association between restricted outings and geriatric locomotive function scale score in the general elderly population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Restrictions in daily activities due to coronavirus infection countermeasures reduced opportunities for physical activity and social participation in people of all ages. This study investigated the associations of restricted outings on locomotive function during the COVID-19 pandemic using a cohort of middle-aged and elderly community-dwelling residents. METHODS: Registered citizens of 50-89 years old were targeted for this investigation. We established 8 groups based on age (50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's) and gender (male and female) after random sampling from the basic resident registry of Obuse town in 2014. All participants were surveyed by a 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale (GLFS-25) at the time of checkup before the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, in 2021 and 2022 after government restrictions on outings were lifted for COVID-19 pandemic, all participants were mailed questionnaires including the GLFS-25. A total of 296 (143 male and 153 female) participants who responded at least once were included. We evaluated the changes in opportunities to go out between pre- and post-pandemic time points and the impact on GLFS-25 scores. RESULTS: In total, 128 (43.2%) respondents had fewer opportunities to go out than the previous year. Pre- and post-pandemic GLFS-25 scores in the decreased outing (+) group were significantly worse than in the decreased outing (-) group (both p < 0.01). The final multivariate model revealed GLFS-25 score worsening beta coefficient of 0.27 for age (+10 years), 3.97 for male, 4.54 for decreased outings, and 4.46 for spinal canal stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: In this randomly sampled Japanese cohort based on a resident registry, restricted outings during the COVID-19 pandemic was a significant independent factor associated with lower locomotive function.

Detection of cognitive decline by spinal posture assessment in health exams of the general older population.

The recent increase in the older adult population has led to a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment, which is often overlooked in routine health examinations. Citizens aged 50-89 years were targeted for this cohort survey by random sampling from the resident registry of a cooperating town in 2014. A total of 411 participants (202 male and 209 female) were enrolled. We analyzed the distribution of cognitive function test scores as determined by Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental State Examination tests in each age (50's, 60's, 70's and 80's) and sex group to examine whether cognitive decline could be detected by sagittal spinal balance measurement based on a radiological approach. Sagittal spinal balance was quantitatively measured as sagittal vertical axis (SVA). We observed significant associations for higher age and/or SVA anteriorization with lower cognitive function. In males, spinal balance anteriorization was associated with cognitive decline independently of age, with combinations of age and SVA also making valid cognitive decline determinations; male cases of SVA ≥ 100 mm at any age, SVA ≥ 90 mm at ≥ 70 years, and SVA ≥ 70 mm at ≥ 80 years were all more likely to have cognitive decline than cases below those values. For females, cognitive decline was more likely in cases of SVA ≥ 70 mm, regardless of age. Thus, spinal balance anteriorization can be regarded as an easily visible indicator of latent cognitive decline in community-dwelling older people.

Cervical Spinal Alignment Change Accompanying Spondylosis Exposes Harmonization Failure with Total Spinal Balance: A Japanese Cohort Survey Randomly Sampled from a Basic Resident Registry.

The relationship between spinal posture and quality of life has garnered considerable attention with the increase in older community-dwelling residents. However, details of this association remain insufficient. A recent Japanese population cohort epidemiological locomotion survey (the Obuse study) revealed that the C2-C7 cervical sagittal vertical axis (CSVA) began to increase in males from their 60s, but not in females. This study aimed to clarify the pathology of these cervical spondylotic changes. A total of 411 participants (202 male and 209 female) aged between 50 and 89 years were selected by random sampling from a cooperating town's resident registry. All participants underwent lateral X-ray photography in a standing position for the measurement of several sagittal spinal alignment parameters, including CSVA, C2-C7 cervical lordosis (CL), T1 slope (T1S), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). The presence of cervical spondylotic changes was also recorded. Associations of cervical sagittal spinal alignment with cervical spondylosis and between cervical and total sagittal spinal alignment were examined. The prevalence of cervical spondylosis was significantly higher in males (81%) than in females (70%) (p = 0.01). CL was significantly smaller in cervical spondylosis subjects when adjusted by age (3.4 degrees less; p = 0.01). T1S minus CL displayed a moderate positive correlation with CSVA in both males and females (r = 0.49 and 0.48, respectively, both p < 0.01). In males only, CSVA and CL showed weak positive correlations with SVA (r = 0.31 and 0.22, respectively, both p < 0.01) independently of age. Cervical spinal misalignment was more clearly associated with diminished SF-8TM scores in females than in males. In community-dwelling elderly residents, cervical sagittal spinal alignment change accompanying cervical spondylosis manifested as hypofunction to compensate for whole-spine imbalance.

Associations of LRP5 and MTHFR Gene Variants with Osteoarthritis Prevalence in Elderly Women: A Japanese Cohort Survey Randomly Sampled from a Basic Resident Registry.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and degenerative joint disorder in the elderly. A greater importance of understanding the relationship between genetic factors and OA prevalence has emerged with population aging. We therefore investigated the associations of several bone disease-related genetic variants with the prevalence of OA and osteoporosis in Japanese elderly women from the Obuse study cohort, which was randomly sampled from a basic town resident registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: In total, 206 female participants (mean ± standard deviation age: 69.7 ± 11.0 years) who completed OA, bone mineral density, and genotype assessments were included. The number of patients diagnosed as having knee/hip OA and osteoporosis was 59 (28.6%) and 30 (14.6%), respectively. Fisher's exact testing revealed significant relationships between the minor T allele of LDL receptor related protein 5 (LRP5) rs3736228 and the prevalence of knee/hip OA and osteoporosis. The respective odds ratios (ORs) of the TT genotype for knee/hip OA and osteoporosis were 7.28 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.22-28.08) and 5.24 (95% CI 0.95-26.98). An additional subgroup analysis for knee OA revealed that the frequency of the common C allele of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) rs1801133 had a statistically significant protective association with the prevalence of knee OA (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.35-0.97). CONCLUSION: In sum, the present study demonstrated significant associations of LRP5 rs3736228 and MTHFR rs1801133 with knee/hip OA and osteoporosis prevalences and knee OA prevalence, respectively, in Japanese elderly women. These results will help further the understanding of OA pathogenesis and related genetic risk factors.

Osteoporosis Detection by Physical Function Tests in Resident Health Exams: A Japanese Cohort Survey Randomly Sampled from a Basic Resident Registry.

Osteoporosis may increase fracture risk and reduce healthy quality of life in older adults. This study aimed to identify an assessment method using physical performance tests to screen for osteoporosis in community dwelling individuals. A total of 168 women aged 50-89 years without diagnosed osteoporosis were randomly selected from the resident registry of a cooperating town for the evaluation of physical characteristics, muscle strength, and several physical performance tests. The most effective combinations of evaluation items to detect osteoporosis (i.e., T-score ≤ -2.5 at the spine or hip) were selected by multivariate analysis and cutoff values were determined by likelihood ratio matrices. Thirty-six women (21.4%) were classified as having osteoporosis. By analyzing combinations of two-step test (TST) score and body mass index (BMI), osteoporosis could be reliably suspected in individuals with TST ≤ 1.30 and BMI ≤ 23.4, TST ≤ 1.32 and BMI ≤ 22.4, TST ≤ 1.34 and BMI ≤ 21.6, or TST < 1.24 and any BMI. Setting cut-off values for TST in combination with BMI represents an easy and possibly effective screening tool for osteoporosis detection in resident health exams.

Reference values for bone metabolism in a Japanese cohort survey randomly sampled from a basic elderly resident registry.

The aim of this study was to provide definitive reference values for bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers in the general elderly population. Registered citizens of 50 to 89 years old were targeted for this survey. After random sampling from the resident registry of Obuse town, we established eight groups based on age (50 s, 60 s, 70 s, and 80 s) and gender. A total of 411 people were enrolled. We used a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry device to measure and evaluate BMD. The bone formation marker bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) was measured as a bone turnover marker. Bone quality marker pentosidine, and bone resorption markers including urinary total deoxypyridinoline (DPD), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), and whole parathyroid hormone (PTH) were also measured as bone turnover markers. Sixty-three people (15.3%) were diagnosed as osteoporosis. BMD decreased with age in the femoral neck and total hip. On the other hand, there was no characteristic change with age in the lumber spine. As for bone markers, pentosidine and DPD increased with aging, although 25(OH)D, whole PTH, and BAP showed no characteristic associations with gender and aging. In terms of the relationship between low BMD and bone markers, there was a significant independent association between low BMD and TRACP-5b in females. In conclusions, hip BMD decreased with aging in men and women. However, there was no characteristic decline with aging in the lumbar spine. All bone markers showed no significant independent characteristics associated with age or gender in a multivariate analysis model, except for a significant association between low BMD and TRACP-5b in females. TRACP-5b was a potentially useful marker for the detection of low BMD.

Values for the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire in the general elderly population: A Japanese cohort survey randomly sampled from a basic resident registry.

BACKGROUND: Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) is widely used as a patient-based evaluation tool for lumbar spine disease in Japan. However, there are currently few established JOABPEQ reference values for the general population. This study proposes population-based reference values for JOABPEQ using a randomly sampled Japanese cohort. METHODS: Registered citizens of 50-89 years old were targeted for this survey. We established 8 groups based on age (50's, 60's, 70's, and 80's) and gender (male and female) after random sampling from the basic resident registry of Obuse town in 2014. A total of 414 participants (202 males and 212 females) were enrolled for calculations of average JOABPEQ scores for each age and gender group. We also evaluated for correlations between JOABPEQ domain scores and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for low back pain. RESULTS: Median reference JOABPEQ scores stratified by age and gender were determined in this study. Lumbar function, walking ability, and social life function deteriorated significantly with age in both genders, with remarkable declines for the social life function domain. VAS scores for low back pain were not significantly correlated with JOABPEQ item scores. CONCLUSIONS: This first resident cohort of Japanese individuals determined median JOABPEQ scores by age and gender, which might serve as reference values for future studies.

Differences in Bone Mineral Density and Bone Turnover Markers Between Subjects With and Without Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Japanese resident cohort study based on a municipal registry. OBJECTIVE: This study of a community-dwelling elderly Japanese population employed random sampling from the basic resident registry of a rural town for subject selection to investigate the differences in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers between subjects with and without diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: DISH is a condition characterized by the calcification and ossification of soft tissues. Although some reports have addressed BMD in DISH, the precise status of BMD and bone metabolism in individuals with DISH remains unclear. METHODS: Eight groups based on age (50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s) and sex after random sampling from the resident registry of Obuse town were established. A total of 411 participants (202 males and 209 females) were enrolled for the evaluation of BMD and bone turnover markers. All subjects underwent a single whole-spine lateral radiographic examination for the existence of DISH. The BMD and bone turnover markers of subjects with and without DISH were analyzed for associations with the disorder using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: DISH was detected in 66 (16.1%) participants in our population cohort. According to multivariate analysis, increased lumbar and hip BMD were significantly related to DISH (odds ratio: 7.47 and 22.8, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study clarified the differences in BMD and bone turnover markers between subjects with and without DISH on a general population basis. Multivariate analysis revealed increased lumbar and hip BMD to be significantly associated with DISH, with no remarkable findings for bone turnover markers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Association between musculoskeletal function deterioration and locomotive syndrome in the general elderly population: a Japanese cohort survey randomly sampled from a basic resident registry.

BACKGROUND: Locomotive syndrome (LoS) is defined as the loss of mobility due to age-related impairment of motor organs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of LoS, muscular strength and balancing ability, and prevalence of sarcopenia in relation to the presence of LoS according to sex and age groups ranging between 50 and 89 years. METHODS: Male and female participants between the ages of 50-89 were randomly selected in the resident registry of a cooperating town. Calls for participation continued until approximately 50 consenting participants were successfully recruited for each age group and sex. A total of 413 participants (203 male and 210 female) were enrolled for undergoing a LoS risk test and measuring their physical function. Physical function was compared to participants with or without LoS. RESULTS: A total of 312 patients (75.5%) were diagnosed as LoS, of which 144 (46.2%) were male and 168 (53.8%) were female. The severity of LoS for the 312 patients were 210 (67.3%) for stage 1 and 102 (32.7%) for stage 2. The prevalence of LoS in males were 37, 59, 91, and 100% in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s age strata, respectively. The prevalence of LoS in females were 71, 62, 89, and 98% in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s age strata, respectively. The prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly higher as the age strata in males grew higher. Knee extension strength was significantly lower for participants in their 50s and females in addition to females in their 60s with LoS. The 31 patients diagnosed as sarcopenia included 29 (93.5%) with LoS, 11 (35.4%) classified as LoS stage 1, and 18 (58.1%) classified as stage 2. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of LoS was high in participants over 70 years of age. In males, the prevalence of sarcopenia was higher as the age strata grew higher. Patients with LoS exhibited lower knee extension strength. We believe that some measures to prevent or improve LoS may require exercise to increase the muscle strength of the lower limbs.

Fragility fractures and delayed wound healing after tooth extraction in Japanese older adults.

INTRODUCTION: Fragility fractures can cause delayed wound healing after tooth extraction, which contributes to an increased risk of osteomyelitis of the jaw. We evaluated whether a history of fragility fracture was associated with increased risk of delayed wound healing after tooth extraction in older adults in Japan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of 5352 people aged 50-89 years in the 2014 basic resident registry of the town of Obuse, the present study included 376 subjects (190 men and 186 women) who completed a structured questionnaire and measurement of the bone mineral densities (BMDs) of the bilateral femoral neck. Delayed wound healing after tooth extraction was self-reported. Fragility fractures were confirmed via examination of hospital medical records. Logistic regression analyses adjusted for age and gender were used to evaluate association of clinical variables with delayed would healing after tooth extractions. Odds ratios (ORs) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of all possible associated variables for the presence of delayed wound healing were calculated. RESULTS: Subjects with a history of fragility fractures had a significantly higher risk of delayed wound healing compared with those without previous fragility fractures (OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.11-6.46, p = 0.028). This association still remained after adjusted for all other variables (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.10-6.60, p = 0.030). Delayed wound healing was not significantly associated with the BMD of the femoral neck. CONCLUSIONS: History of fragility fracture may be associated with increased risk of delayed wound healing after tooth extraction in Japanese men and women aged 50-89 years.

Prevalence of Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis in the General Elderly Population: A Japanese Cohort Survey Randomly Sampled From a Basic Resident Registry.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a Japanese resident cohort study based on a municipal registry. OBJECTIVES: In this study of an aged Japanese population, we used random sampling from the basic resident registry of a rural town for subject selection to investigate the prevalence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and effect of subject-related factors. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND: DISH is a condition characterized by the calcification and ossification of soft tissues. Interest is mounting on DISH as the elderly rate increases, but its pathogenetic mechanism remains unknown. DATA: A total of 413 aged people randomly sampled from the resident registry of Obuse town. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We established 8 groups on the basis of age (50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s) and sex after random sampling from the resident registry of Obuse town. A total of 411 participants (202 male and 209 female) were enrolled and underwent a single whole-spine lateral radiographic examination. We assessed for the existence of DISH and analyzed the effects of clinical factors using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 72 (17.5%) participants were identified to have DISH in our population cohort. The prevalence of DISH tended to increase with age, being 3.1% in subjects in their 50s, 14.0% in their 60s, 24.3% in their 70s, and 29.0% in their 80s. According to multivariate analysis, hypertension (HT), male, bone mineral density (BMD), and aging were independent factors associated with DISH. The odds ratios of HT, male, and BMD were 1.93, 2.88, and 19.1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study examining DISH in detail according to age and sex groups on a general population basis. Multivariate analysis revealed HT, male, BMD, and aging to be independent factors associated with DISH in the healthy community-dwelling elderly.

Association Between Sagittal Spinal Alignment and Physical Function in the Japanese General Elderly Population: A Japanese Cohort Survey Randomly Sampled from a Basic Resident Registry.

BACKGROUND: The extension of healthy life expectancy has become increasingly important because of rising health-care costs and decreases in the quality of life in the elderly population. Although reports have surfaced on an association between sagittal spinal alignment and physical performance, such studies on the healthy population are limited. This study investigated the relationship between sagittal spinal alignment and physical function in the general elderly population. METHODS: Registered citizens who were 50 to 89 years of age were targeted for this survey. We established 8 groups based on age (50 to 59 years, 60 to 69 years, 70 to 79 years, and 80 to 89 years) and sex (male and female) after random sampling from the resident registry of the town of Obuse in 2014. A total of 412 people (203 male and 209 female) were enrolled for the measurement and analysis of radiographic parameters of sagittal spinal alignment and physical performance tests. RESULTS: Physical function score values decreased with age, with moderate to strong correlations. Within age subgroups, worsened spinal alignment in standing whole-spinal radiographs indicated diminished physical performance results. The impact of the sagittal vertical axis was especially prominent; as the sagittal vertical axis was shifted forward by 1 standard deviation, 1-leg standing time became shortened by 3.8 seconds. Two-step scores were significantly associated with sagittal vertical axis, global tilt, cervical sagittal vertical axis, and pelvic tilt. CONCLUSIONS: Our investigation of sagittal spinal alignment on physical function in a Japanese elderly cohort revealed significant negative correlations between spinal alignment and physical performance after excluding the influence of age and sex. Posture change in the community-dwelling elderly population is an important sign of physical function impairment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Impact of Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis on Sagittal Spinal Alignment in the General Elderly Population: A Japanese Cohort Survey Randomly Sampled from a Basic Resident Registry.

Interest is mounting regarding diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) as the rate in the elderly increases. Although some studies have demonstrated an effect of DISH on sagittal spinal alignment, the pathogenetic mechanism remains unknown. Random sampling from the basic resident registry of a rural town for subject selection was used to investigate the impact of DISH on sagittal spinal alignment. METHODS: Registered citizens who were 50 to 89 years of age were targeted for this survey. We divided the study population into 8 groups based on sex (male and female) and age (50 to 59, 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80 to 89 years) after random sampling from the resident registry of the town of Obuse in 2014. A total of 411 participants (202 male and 209 female) were enrolled and underwent a whole-spine lateral radiographic examination. We investigated the spinal level of DISH occurrence, measured sagittal spinal alignment parameters, and analyzed the effects of clinical factors on DISH using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: A total of 66 participants (16.1%) were identified as having DISH in our population cohort. With regard to DISH involving the thoracic spine, sagittal vertical axis, cervical sagittal vertical axis, T1 slope, thoracic kyphosis, aging, and male sex were significantly associated with DISH in the univariate analysis. Aging and male sex were also independent factors according to multivariate analysis; the odds ratio (OR) was 1.70 for aging per decade and 3.75 for male sex. Sagittal vertical axis, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, aging, and male sex had significant associations with DISH involving the lumbar spine in univariate analysis, with decreased lumbar lordosis (OR, 1.82), aging per decade (OR, 4.35), and male sex (OR, 10.7) as independent factors in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In this study examining the impact of DISH on sagittal spinal alignment in a general population, decreased lumbar lordosis was significantly associated with DISH involving the lumbar spine in the healthy community-dwelling elderly population, and no sagittal spine parameters were significantly related to DISH affecting the thoracic spine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When there is decreased lumbar lordosis in elderly people, we should check for the existence of DISH.

Physical performance reflects cognitive function, fall risk, and quality of life in community-dwelling older people.

This report searched for relationships between physical performance and other health indices through a detailed investigation of a randomly sampled cohort from a basic town resident registry. Residents between the age of 50 and 89 years were randomly sampled from the basic resident registry of a cooperating town for construction of a 415-participant cohort that minimized selection bias. Cognitive function measures, annual fall frequency, and SF-8 as an HRQOL measure were the outcomes of interest. The impact of physical function on outcomes was predicted using multivariate regression models with age and gender as covariates. Knee muscle strength, grip strength, one-leg standing time, and two-step test score had a significant impact on cognitive scores and SF-8 physical component summary scores. A shift of -1 standard deviation for grip strength, the stand-up test, and the two-step test increased fall risk by 39%, 23%, and 38%, respectively. In conclusion, diminished physical performance is related to serious problems in older individuals, specifically cognitive deterioration, increased fall risk, and inability to maintain HRQOL. These factors are independent of age and gender. Thus, the higher physical function can be maintained in older people, the better the other conditions appear to remain.

Sagittal spinal alignment deviation in the general elderly population: a Japanese cohort survey randomly sampled from a basic resident registry.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: It is widely recognized that sagittal spinal alignment changes with age. However, there are presently no clear benchmarks for such values or those for the cervical spine in the general population. Quality epidemiological studies are needed to establish standards for spinal alignment deviation. OBJECTIVES: In this study of an aged Japanese population, we employed random sampling from the basic resident registry of a rural town for subject selection to determine reference values of sagittal spinal alignment including the cervical spine. STUDY DESIGN: Japanese resident cohort study based on a municipal registry. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 413 aged people randomly sampled from the resident registry of a rural Japanese town. OUTCOME MEASURES: All subjects underwent a whole spine lateral radiograph for measurement of sagittal spinal alignment parameters. METHODS: Registered citizens of 50 to 89 years old were targeted for this survey. We established eight groups based on age (50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s) and gender (male and female) after random sampling from the resident registry of Obuse town in 2014. A total of 413 people (203 males and 210 females) were enrolled. Radiographic parameters of sagittal spinal alignment of the cohort were measured and analyzed. Funding for this study was provided by the Japan Orthopaedics and Traumatology Research Foundation (10,000 USD), the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (5,000 USD), the Japanese Society for Musculoskeletal Medicine (40,000 USD), and the Nakatomi Foundation (15,000 USD). RESULTS: Global spinal alignments became more misaligned with age for both genders. Sagittal vertical axis (SVA) forward shift was significantly more frequent in 80s males and 70s females, and SVA in 80s females was a mean of 66 mm forward of that of 50s females. Cervical protrusion was markedly greater in 60s males onwards. In women, lumbar lordosis and posterior pelvic inclination were noticeable from a younger age than in men. The amount of pelvic tilt misalignment in female subjects was approximately 10 years earlier than their male counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: This first resident cohort of Japanese individuals determined average spinal alignment parameters by age and gender. Spinal balance generally shifts forward as age increases. A forward shift in the upper cervical spine occurs first in men, whereas lumbopelvic alignment shift occurs first in women.