J Korean Acad Nurs.  2004 Dec;34(8):1483-1490.

Risk Factors for Falls among the Community-Dwelling Elderly in Korea

• Sohng KY
• Moon JS
• Song HH
• Lee KS
• Kim YS

Abstract

Community-based centres were surveyed to determine the frequency of and risk factors for falls among elderly Koreans. We examined fall-related risk factors, including physiological and physical health, psychosocial functions, self-reported physical capacity and activity, vision, and the use of medication, among 351 elderly people aged 65 years or older, with ambulatory. Forty-two per cent of elderly Korean subjects reported at least one episode of falling in the previous 12 months, 38% of whom had consequences that required either the attention of a physician or hospitalization. Factors significantly associated with an increased risk of falling were a restricted activity during the previous five years (adjusted OR 1.3), use of alternative therapy (adjusted OR 2.7), low knee flexor and extensor-muscle strength (adjusted OR 1.21 and 1.20), and poor balance with closed eyes (adjusted OR 8.32). We conclude that falls among older persons living in the community are common in Korea and that indicator of bad health and frailty or variables directly related to neuromuscular impairment are significant predictors of the risk of falling.

Keyword

Fall; Risk Factors; Korean; Aged

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls/prevention & control/*statistics & numerical data
Accidents, Home/prevention & control/*statistics & numerical data
Activities of Daily Living
Aged/physiology/psychology/*statistics & numerical data
Aged, 80 and over
Drug Utilization
Female
Gait
Geriatric Assessment
Health Status
Housing/statistics & numerical data
Humans
Incidence
Korea/epidemiology
Male
Mental Health
Population Surveillance
Prevalence
Questionnaires
Residence Characteristics/statistics & numerical data
Retrospective Studies
Risk Assessment
Risk Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Vision Disorders/complications/epidemiology