Predictors of Accidental Falls in the Community-dwelling Elderly by Age
10.12799/jkachn.2019.30.2.141
- Author:
Nan Ju PARK
1
;
Yong Soon SHIN
Author Information
1. Ph.D., Candidate, School of Nursing, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Accidental falls;
Age groups;
Risk factors
- MeSH:
Accidental Falls;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Chronic Disease;
Depression;
Hearing Loss;
Humans;
Logistic Models;
Muscle Strength;
Risk Factors;
Spouses
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Community Health Nursing
2019;30(2):141-149
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify risk factors of accidental falls by age in the Korean elderly. METHODS: The study subjects included 10,242 community-dwelling elders aged 65 or over. The data were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The risk factors of accidental falls in the younger old group (aged 65~74) include fear of falling (OR=16.28, 95% CI: 12.03~22.03), depression (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.06~1.44), and hearing impairment (OR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.01~1.43). The risk factors of accidental falls in the older old group (aged 75~84) include fear of falling (OR=11.54, 95% CI: 7.04~18.93), muscle strength (OR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.15~1.60), number of chronic disease (OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.09~2.50), and presence of spouse (OR=1.27, 95% CI: 1.06~1.51). The risk factors of accidental falls in the oldest old group (aged 85 years old or older) include fear of falling (OR=8.05, 95% CI: 1.85~34.98) and exercise (OR=2.91, 95% CI: 1.36~6.24). Fear of falling is defined as a common factor in the all age groups. CONCLUSION: Different strategies should be developed for age groups to prevent elderly falls with understanding of contributing factors of falls in each group.
