@article{ref1,
title="Predictors for occasional and recurrent falls in community-dwelling older people",
journal="Zeitschrift fur Gerontologie und Geriatrie",
year="2009",
author="Gaßmann, KG and Rupprecht, Roland and Freiberger, Ellen",
volume="42",
number="1",
pages="3-10",
abstract="BACKGROUND : Little is known about the prevalence of falls and the related risk factors in the general population of community- living older people in Germany. OBJECTIVES : To assess the prevalence and related predictors of different types of falls in a sample of community-dwelling 65 years and older people in Germany living in a metropolitan area. Study design and setting prospective cohort study in 622 community dwelling people aged>/=65 years. RESULTS : A total of 107 persons (17.2%) reported falling at least once (occasional fallers), while 36 (5.7%) experienced two or more falls (recurrent fallers) in the last 6 months. Main predictors for all fallers were age (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1-3.0), being female (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.2), living alone (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.2-2.9), poor health status (OR 3.3; 95% CI 2.1-5.3), varifocals (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.0-3.1), disturbance of memory (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.0-3.0), depression (OR 4.8; 95% CI 2.5-9.2), sleep disturbances (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.7-4.3), incontinence (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.3-4.9), dizziness (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.9-5.0), 3 medical conditions or more (OR 3.3; 95% CI 2.1-5.1), lower physical functioning and mobility. Two of the strongest predictors were reported falls (OR 4.9; 95% CI 3.1-7.7) and recurrent falls (OR 10.0; 95% CI 5.0-20.0) in the last 6 months. CONCLUSION : Older adults living at home should be screened for falls in history and problems in gait and mobility in any anamnesis to identify those who are at risk for falls. <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0948-6704",
doi="10.1007/s00391-008-0506-2",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00391-008-0506-2"
}