Association between Dynapenic abdominal obesity and fall risk among older adults: a longitudinal study in Birjand.

Introduction: Dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) is the coexistence of obesity and dynapenia, defined as muscle weakness. Both abdominal obesity and dynapenia may contribute to falls in older adults. This study assesses the relationship between DAO and the risk of falls in the population ≥ over 60 who participated in the Birjand Longitudinal Aged Study (BLAS) trial.

Methods: This prospective cohort study involves 1,418 elderly participants aged ≥ 60. The sample, representative of the aged population BLAS program, was selected using stratified random cluster sampling. Data on fall events - including the date, time, cause, and associated injuries - were collected through a structured researcher-designed data collection form via telephone contact with the participants or their families. Clinical examination findings and paraclinical test results per the study protocol were also available to researchers.

Results: Of the 1,418 participants, 697 (51.71%) were women, and 651 (48.29%) were men, with a mean age of 69.73. The presence of DAO was significantly associated with a higher risk of falls, with a coefficient of OR = 2.65 (CI 95% 1.03-6.84, P = 0.044). Among the participants, 757(56.2%), 422 (31.3%), and 169 (12.5%) fell in the age groups between 60 and 69, 70-79, and ≥ 80 years, respectively. Male gender (OR: 0.45, 95%CI: 0.23-0.90, P-value: 0.23), on the other hand, was linked to a lower risk of falls, and this association was statistically significant. Furthermore, a higher risk of falls was observed among those with higher scores on the "Time to Get Up and Go" test (OR: 1.80, 95%CI: 1.11-2.92, P-value: 0.16), as well as those with depression (OR: 2.13, 95%CI: 1.30-3.49, P-value: 0.003), and anemia (OR: 1.89, 95%CI: 1.02-3.50, P-value: 0.043), with coefficients of 0.59, 0.75, and 0.63, respectively, all of which were statistically significant.

Conclusion: This study's findings suggest that DAO is a significant risk factor for falls in elderly individuals. Moreover, the male gender appears to be protected against falls. In contrast, factors such as depression, higher risk based on the Time to "Get Up and go" test, and anemia are associated with elevated risk. These factors may be crucial in understanding the relationship between Dynapenic abdominal obesity and fall risk in the elderly. They can help stratify aged adults to prevent falls more efficiently.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.