Risk Factors Associated with the Fear of Falling in Community-Living Elderly People in Korea: Role of Psychological Factors

Abstract

Little is known about the risk factors for the fear of falling in elderly Korean individuals. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the risk factors for fear of falling in a representative elderly population of over 10,000 individuals aged 65 years and older. A multivariate multinomial analysis revealed that the risk factors associated with a severe fear of falling were being female [odds ratio (OR)=4.396], older age (OR=5.550 for those aged ≥85 years), lower level of education (OR=0.719 for those with ≥13 years of schooling), chronic illness (OR=2.788 for those with more than three chronic illnesses), poor subjective health (OR=6.268), functional impairments (OR=2.340), a history of falling (OR=7.062), and depression (OR=1.774). The ORs for each of these risk factors were particularly high in participants with a severe fear of falling. Particularly, a history of falling and/or poor subjective health status had strong independent associations with the fear of falling. The present findings may help health care professionals identify individuals that would benefit from interventions aimed at reducing the fear of falling.

Falls, fear of falling and related factors in community‐dwelling individuals aged 80 and over in Turkey

“…1 The fall frequency of individuals aged 65 or over has been found to range from 21.2% to 39.7% in different regions of the world. [20][21][22][23] Six-month falls incidence in Sweden was found to be 19.9%, 20.0% and 32.1% for individuals over 60, 80 and 90 years of age, respectively. 15 A study in the United States found that 50% of people aged 80 and over fall at least once each year.…”

“…According to the WHO Global Report, 28%‐35% of people aged 65 and over fall each year, and this rate increases to 32%‐42% for those over 70 years of age . The fall frequency of individuals aged 65 or over has been found to range from 21.2% to 39.7% in different regions of the world . Six‐month falls incidence in Sweden was found to be 19.9%, 20.0% and 32.1% for individuals over 60, 80 and 90 years of age, respectively .…”

“…The difference in frequency may also be caused by recall bias based on retrospective data collection or the use of different assessment tools. Older people's fear of falling frequency is between 43.3% and 86% . A study conducted in the Netherlands with people aged 80 or over found a rate of fear of falling of 65.6% .…”

“…While balance was a risk factor for falls and FOF, functional status related to daily activities was found to be not significant in the multivariate analysis. Other studies have shown functional status to be a risk factor regardless of balance . Balance is an important component of older people's functional abilities .…”

“…Older people's fear of falling frequency is between 43.3% and 86%. 17,20,26 A study conducted in the Netherlands with people aged 80 or over found a rate of fear of falling of 65.6%. 27 The fall frequency found by our study is higher than those of other studies.…”