Citation

Shirooka H, Nishiguchi S, Fukutani N, Tashiro Y, Nozaki Y, Hirata H, Yamaguchi M, Tasaka S, Matsushita T, Matsubara K, Aoyama T. Geriatr. Gerontol. Int. 2016; 17(2): 232-238.

Affiliation

Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Japan Geriatrics Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/ggi.12702

PMID

26792588

Abstract

AIM: The purpose of the present study was to explore the association between cognitive function and fear of falling in frail/non-frail older adults in a community setting.

METHODS: We recruited 483 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older (mean age 73.3 ± 5.1 years, 68.3% women). Fear of falling was assessed using a yes/no question, "Are you afraid of falling?" Cognitive function was measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination. The five subscores of the examination were also recorded. We used the frailty criteria developed by the Cardiovascular Health Study, and divided the participants into non-frail and frail groups according to the number of affected domains. The statistical analyses were carried out separately for these two groups.

RESULTS: A multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, in frail older adults, cognitive impairment was significantly associated with the absence of fear of falling (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.00-0.50, P = 0.012). In addition, a stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the score on the attention and calculation subsection of the Mini-Mental State Examination was positively associated with the presence of fear of falling in frail older adults (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.08-3.12, P = 0.026). In contrast, cognitive impairment was not associated with fear of falling in non-frail older adults.

CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that cognitive impairment, especially that in executive function, is associated with the absence of fear of falling in community-dwelling frail older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; ●●: ●●-●●.

Language: en