Genotype, resilience and function and physical activity post hip fracture

Abstract

Background: Individuals who are resilient are more likely to engage in functional tasks and exercise post hip fracture. There may be a genetic predisposition to being resilient.

Objectives: This study tested the direct and indirect association of 10 candidate genes, age, cognition, gender, comorbidities, pain and social activity on resilience, function and exercise post hip fracture.

Method: This was a descriptive study including 172 community dwelling older adults. Measures included: age, gender, cognition (Modified Mini Mental Status Exam), comorbidities, social activities (self-report), DNA (GRM1, NTRK1, NTRK2, GNB3, NPY, SLC6A15. SLC6A4, BDNF, CR1TR1, FKBP5), pain (areas of pain and Numeric Rating Scale), function (Physical and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living; Lower Extremity Gains Score; Short Physical Performance Battery; Grip Strength) and exercise (Yale Physical Activity Scale).

Results: The majority of participants were Caucasian (93%), 50% were women and the average age was 81.09 (SD = 7.42). There were significant associations between resilience and single nucleotide polymorphisms from GRM1, NTRK1, NTRK2, GNB3, NPY and SLC6A15. Resilience, age, cognition, social activity, pain and genetic variability were directly and/or indirectly associated with exercise and/or function.

Discussion: This study highlights the importance of resilience for engagement in exercise and function after hip fracture and provides preliminary evidence for a genetic role for resilience.

Keywords: Genetics; exercise; function; resilience.