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Citation |
Wu TY, Chie WC, Yang RS, Kuo KL, Wong WK, Liaw CK. Prev. Med. 2013; 57(5): 511-517. |
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Affiliation |
Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine and Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, 5F, No. 17, Hsu-Chow Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan, 100; Department of Family Medicine, Renai Branch, Taipei City Hospital, 10F, No. 10, Sec. 4, Ren-Ai Rd., Taipei City, Taiwan, 106. Electronic address: f96846008@ntu.edu.tw. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
23872174 |
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Abstract |
OBJECTIVE: To contribute evidence towards heterogeneity in risk factors for single and recurrent falls. METHOD: This is a prospective study conducted in Taiwan. Participants were randomly selected from the examinees of the annual health examination in 2010. Participants were interviewed with a detailed questionnaire and followed up one year later. Predictor variables included socio-demographic characteristics, medical conditions, laboratory data, and risk factors for osteoporosis. The outcome was falls in the ensuing 12 months. RESULTS: The mean age of the 653 completers was 75.6± 6.4. Half (48.7%) were women. Fallers and recurrent fallers comprised 14.5% and 6.0% of the participants, respectively. Blurred vision (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-3.67), minimal outdoor activities (aOR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.06-4.88), and overactive thyroid/parathyroid (aOR: 3.49, 95% CI: 1.29-9.50) were associated with single falls. Frailty (aOR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.11-7.09), decreased body height (aOR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.52-6.54) and taking sedatives/hypnotics (aOR: 4.23, 95% CI: 2.06-8.67) were associated with recurrent falls. Previous falls (aOR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.44-4.84 for single falls; aOR: 5.26, 95% CI: 2.61-10.60 for recurrent falls) were associated with all falls. CONCLUSION: Different intervention strategies should be developed for single and recurrent fallers. Language: en |