A comprehensive investigation to examine the factors associated with previous falls, recurrent falls, and concerns about falling among outpatient older individuals: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Purpose: Although numerous studies have assessed factors associated with falls among older adults, only a few studies have comprehensively evaluated multiple dimensions that may lead to falls. This study aims to investigate in a comprehensive way factors associated with previous falls, previous recurrent falls, and concerns about falling among general geriatrics outpatients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine factors associated with falls among older outpatients in accordance with established falls guidelines. The assessment included the following dimensions: sociodemographic, habits, physical activity, sensory, environment, physical examination, cognitive function, mental health status, frailty, sleep quality, functional status, presence of diseases, medication usage, and mobility. Logistic and linear regression models were used.

Results: This study involved 335 older patients (78.8% women with a mean age of 74.5 years). Four out of ten had fallen in the previous year. Over half of the falls resulted in physical injuries and nearly one-third required hospital care. The main factors directly associated with falls were anxiety, visual impairment, number of medications, and environmental risk while being married and walking faster were inversely associated. As for recurrent falls, anticonvulsant use and increased depressive symptoms were directly associated with falls. At least six out of ten older outpatients feared falling, and associated factors were depressive symptoms, difficulties in climbing stairs, visual impairment, sleep problems, sedentarism behavior, hypothyroidism, hypertension and balance and gait abnormalities.

Conclusion: Predisposing factors to falls must be identified and included in a broader approach, focused on biologic, behavioral, environmental and socioeconomic dimensions.