Citation

Rouzi AA, Ardawi MS, Qari MH, Bahksh TM, Raddadi RM, Ali AY, Jalal MM, Taha AA, Kary HS. Menopause 2015; 22(9): 1012-1020.

Affiliation

From the 1Center of Excellence for Osteoporosis Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and 6Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (Jeddah Branch), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/GME.0000000000000418

PMID

25608272

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify possible risk factors for falls among Saudi postmenopausal women in a population-based study.

METHODS: Seven hundred seven postmenopausal women aged 50 years or older were followed in a prospective cohort study. Participant demographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle factors, past-year history of falls, and physical activity (PA) scores were assessed. We recorded single and multiple falls, anthropometric parameters, five special physical performance tests, hormone levels, and bone mineral density measurements. Data on knee osteoarthritis (OA), lumbar spondylosis, and osteopenia were collected. Knee and lower back pain were assessed by interview, and cognition was assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination.

RESULTS: During the mean (SD) follow-up of 5.2 (1.3) years, 164 women (23.2%) reported at least one fall, of whom 73 women (10.3%) reported multiple falls. Six independent predictors of all falls were identified: PA score of 12.61 or lower (lowest quartile; odds ratio [OR], 4.10; 95% CI, 1.82-8.90); past-year history of falls (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 2.30-2.90); age 65 years or older (OR, 2.16; 95% CI,1.30-3.12); presence of knee OA (OR, 1.56; 95% CI,1.03-2.34); handgrip strength of 13.88 kg or lower (lowest quartile; OR, 1.33; 95% CI,1.09-1.64); and 8-ft walk test of 3.94 s or longer (highest quartile; OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.35).

CONCLUSIONS: Poor PA score, past-year history of falls, age 65 years or older, presence of knee OA, poor handgrip strength, and prolonged time on the 8-ft walk test are risk factors for all falls among Saudi postmenopausal women.

Language: en