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Citation
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Franse CB, Rietjens JA, Burdorf A, van Grieken A, Korfage IJ, van der Heide A, Mattace Raso F, van Beeck E, Raat H. BMJ Open 2017; 7(6): e015827. |
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Abstract
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OBJECTIVES: The rate of falling among older citizens appears to vary across different countries, but the underlying aspects causing this variation are unexplained. We aim to describe between-country variation in falling and explore whether intrinsic fall risk factors can explain possible variation.
DESIGN: Prospective study on data from the cross-national Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). SETTING: Twelve European countries (Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland). PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling persons aged ≥65 years (n=18 596). MEASUREMENTS: Socio-demographic factors (age, gender, education level and living situation) and intrinsic fall risk factors (less than good self-rated health (SRH), mobility limitations, limitations with activities of daily living (ADL), dizziness, impaired vision, depression and impaired cognition) were assessed in a baseline interview. Falling was assessed 2 years later by asking whether the participant had fallen within the 6 months prior to the follow-up interview.
RESULTS: There was significant between-country variation in the rate of falling (varying from 7.9% in Switzerland to 16.2% in the Czech Republic). The prevalence of intrinsic fall risk factors varied twofold to fourfold between countries. Associations between factors age ≥80 years, less than good SRH, mobility limitations, ADL limitations, dizziness and depression, and falling were different between countries (p<0.05). Between-country differences in falling largely persisted after adjusting for socio-demographic differences but strongly attenuated after adjusting for differences in intrinsic fall risk factors.
CONCLUSION: There is considerable variation in the rate of falling between European countries, which can largely be explained by between-country variation in the prevalence of intrinsic fall risk factors. There are also country-specific variations in the association between these intrinsic risk factors and falling. These findings emphasise the importance of addressing intrinsic fall risk in (inter)national fall-prevention strategies, while highlighting country-specific priorities.
© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.
Language: en |