Background: Fracture determinants are falls, bone fragility, imbalance, and decreased lower limb
strength. The timed up and go (TUG) test assesses most of the fracture determinants.
Aim: To assess the relationship between mobility status using TUG test, bone mineral density (BMD), and
different fracture risks predicted by different tools.
Methods: A case (TUG time > 20 seconds)econtrol (TUG 20 seconds) study comprised 66 patients and
72 controls. Participants were assessed for falls, fracture history, and BMD using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry;
the estimated 10-year fracture risk was also calculated using both the World Health Organization
fracture risk assessment tool and Garvan fracture risk calculator.
Results: Patients had a lower femoral BMD (p ¼ 0.009), T score (p ¼ 0.003), and Z score (p ¼ 0.001).
Femur neck osteoporosis had a higher number of patients (p < 0.001). Patients also had lower lumbar
BMD (p ¼ 0.02), T-score (p ¼ 0.02), and Z-score (p ¼ 0.005). The estimated 10-year fracture risk for hip
and other osteoporotic fractures were higher among the patients using both fracture risk assessment tool
and Garvan calculators.
Conclusion: Poor TUG test results are associated with lower BMD and higher estimated 10 year fracture
risk.