Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
3325433 International Journal of Gerontology 2013 5 Pages PDF
Abstract

SummaryBackgroundThe information exploring the falls, recurrent falls, and injurious falls simultaneously in a large scale of aged people was limited. This study investigated the prevalence and frequency of falls and identified the associated factors of fall among aged Chinese men.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in four veteran homes in eastern Taiwan from 2009 to 2010. The investigated sample consisted of 940 elderly men. A questionnaire was used for collecting demographic background, comorbid medical conditions, and fall characteristics. Depression status was evaluated by the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form.ResultsThe prevalence of fall and recurrent falls were 17.2 % and 6.9%, respectively. The injury rate after falls was 51.9%.The advanced age [odds ratio (OR): 1.04; confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.07), depression status (OR: 1.05; CI: 1.01–1.10), stroke (OR: 2.16; CI: 1.18–3.96), gouty arthritis (OR: 1.96; CI: 1.36–2.81), and cataract (OR: 1.48; CI: 1.03–2.15) were independent variables associated with falls. We also found that the greater the number of variables, the higher the risk of falling (χ2 for linear trend = 31.98, d.f.= 4, p < 0.001). Furthermore, depression was the only independent variable for predicting recurrent falls (OR: 1.22; CI: 1.12–1.32). However, no variable was found to be capable of predicting injurious falls.ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the advanced age, depression status, stroke, gouty arthritis, and cataract are independent variables for predicting falls; depression is the only clinical factor capable of predicting the recurrent falls. These variables were potential targets for effective prevention of falls.

Related Topics
Health Sciences Medicine and Dentistry Geriatrics and Gerontology
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