Factors associated with falls among community-dwelling older people in Taiwan
Journal
Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore
Journal Volume
42
Journal Issue
7
Pages
320-327
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
Introduction: Falls are common among older people. Previous studies have shown that falls were multifactorial. However, data regarding community-dwelling Chinese population are minimal. We aimed to study factors associated with falls among community-dwelling older Chinese people. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a community hospital in Taiwan in 2010. Our sample included 671 elders from the 3680 examinees of the free annual Senior Citizens Health Examination. Participants were interviewed with a detailed questionnaire, and 317 elders were further invited for serum vitamin D tests. The main outcome was falls in the previous 12 months. Predictor variables included sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle risk factors, body stature, frailty, serum 25 (OH) D levels, and medications. Results: The mean age of the 671 participants was 75.7 ± 6.4 years old, and 48.7% of which were female. Fallers comprised 21.0% of the study population. In multivariate models, female gender (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.32), loss of height in adulthood (aOR: 1.52), low body weight (aOR: 2.69), central obesity (aOR: 1.67), frailty (aOR: 1.56), polypharmacy (aOR: 2.18) and hyperglycaemia (aOR: 1.56) were factors associated with falls. Vitamin D insuffi ciency (serum 25 (OH) D levels <30 ng/mL) was not associated with falls (OR: 0.78; 95% CI, 0.38 to 1.60) (n = 317) in this study. Conclusion: Among community-dwelling older people in Taiwan, falls were mainly associated with female gender, polypharmacy, frailty, reduced body height, low body weight or central obesity, and hyperglycaemia. In addition to other risk factors, body stature should be considered as a novel risk factor when screening elders at risk for falls.
SDGs
Other Subjects
25 hydroxyvitamin D; aged; article; body height; body weight; Chinese; controlled study; cross-sectional study; elderly care; fall risk; female; gender; human; hyperglycemia; lifestyle; male; medical examination; obesity; polypharmacy; questionnaire; risk factor; sensitivity and specificity; Taiwan; Accidental Falls; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Body Constitution; Cross-Sectional Studies; Demography; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Independent Living; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Polypharmacy; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Taiwan
Type
journal article