J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2019 Jun;30(2):141-149. 10.12799/jkachn.2019.30.2.141.

Predictors of Accidental Falls in the Community-dwelling Elderly by Age

Affiliations
  • 1Ph.D., Candidate, School of Nursing, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea. ysshin2k@hanyang.ac.kr

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.

Keyword

Accidental falls; Age groups; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls*
Aged*
Aged, 80 and over
Chronic Disease
Depression
Hearing Loss
Humans
Logistic Models
Muscle Strength
Risk Factors
Spouses

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