J Korean Med Sci.  2014 Nov;29(11):1482-1487. 10.3346/jkms.2014.29.11.1482.

Risk Factors for Falls in Older Korean Adults: The 2011 Community Health Survey

• Choi EJ
• Kim SA
• Kim NR
• Rhee JA
• Yun YW
• Shin MH

• KMID: 2069928
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2014.29.11.1482

Abstract

Falls are a major health problem for elderly populations worldwide. We analyzed data from the 2011 Korean Community Health Survey to identify potential risk factors for falls in a representative population-based sample of community-dwelling older Korean adults. Risk factors for falls were assessed by multivariate survey logistic regression models. The prevalence of falls was 36.5% in males and 63.5% in females. Age and female sex were associated with a higher risk of falls. Similarly, living alone, living in an urban area, poor self-rated health, and high stress were associated with a high risk of falls. Subjects with diabetes mellitus, stroke, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, cataracts, or depression had a high risk of falls. However, subjects with hypertension were at low risk for falls. In conclusion, age, female sex, marital status, residence location, self-rated health, stress, and several chronic conditions were significantly associated with the risk for falls in the older Korean adults. Our findings suggest that these risk factors should be addressed in public health policies for preventing falls.

Keyword

Accidental Falls; Elderly People; Risk Factors; Koreans

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls/*statistics & numerical data
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Data Collection
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Marital Status
Odds Ratio
Republic of Korea
Residence Characteristics
Risk Factors
Severity of Illness Index
Sex Factors
Stress, Psychological

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Prevalence of falling by sex and age groups.

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