Predictors of Incidence of Fall in Elderly Women; A Six-Month Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective:To determine the incidence and predictive factors of the falls in elderly women in Northern Iran.Methods:A total of 717 elderly women aged 60 years and above in Amirkola, Northern of Iran participated in this study. Age, history of falls during the 12 months leading to the study, accompanying diseases, status of balance, cognitive status, orthostatic hypotension, state of depressive symptoms, strength of quadriceps muscles and serum vitamin D level were assessed as independent variables during baseline measurement. Incidence of fall (dependent variable) was recorded during a six-month follow-up period.Results: Of the participants, 7.8% had experience of fall, out of which 50.0% experienced it once, 25.0% twice, and the rest three times or more. With aging, the incidence of orthostatic hypotension also increased and symptomatic depression became aggravated. In the final model, the variables of the number of accompanying diseases (RR=1.78, 95% CI: 1.00-3.18), severe cognitive impairment (RR=12.70, 95% CI: 3.05-52.86), and depressive symptoms (RR=3.19, 95% CI: 1.48-6.86) remained as strong associated variables for incidence of fall.Conclusion: With increasing severity of depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment along with the comorbidities, incidence of fall also increases in the elderly. Thus, psychological aspects of the elderly and comorbidities in this group should be taken care of seriously.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of fall incidence and risk factors in elderly patients after total joint arthroplasty

“…[ 45 ] However, some studies stated that experience of fall alone cannot limit physical activity and predict fall effectively. [ 46 ] There are a strong support for establishing the use of the ABC scale as a predictive tool for correctly identifying elderly individuals more susceptible to falls. [ 47 – 49 ] This would allow health care professionals to screen those with a substantial risk of falling and enroll them in a fall prevention training program.…”

The Effectiveness of the Stepping-On Fall Prevention Program on the Quality of Life, Fear of Fall, and Fall-Preventive Behaviors Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…An estimated number of 646,000 deaths caused by falls are reported each year worldwide, of which a large majority (almost 80%) occurs in countries with low or middle income (4). In a six-month cohort study in Iran, 7.8% of elderly people aged 60 years and above reported a history of falls, almost half of them experienced falls once, a quarter had them twice, and the rest had three or more incidents (5). Of all the people who experience falls, 20% to 30% are injured moderately to severely and suffer fractures, lacerations, or even traumatic brain injuries (4).…”