Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2023 Jun;26(1):18-27. 10.7587/kjrehn.2023.18.

The Impact of Possible Sarcopenia and Obesity on the Risk of Falls in Hospitalized Older Patients

• Kim K
• Jung D

• KMID: 2544479
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7587/kjrehn.2023.18

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of possible sarcopenia and obesity on the risk of falls of hospitalized older patients.
Methods
This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design.Participants were 70 older patients who were admitted in a hospital. Data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Stepwise multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 29.0.
Results
Older patients' risk of falls differed significantly according to musculoskeletal diseases (t=3.24, p=.006), peptic ulcer (t=-2.12, p=.038), and canes (t=3.49, p<.001). The risk of falls had significant positive correlations with possible sarcopenia (r=.49, p<.001) and abdominal obesity (r=.16, p=.045). A stepwise multiple regression was conducted to analyze the factors affecting risk of falls. Possible sarcopenia (β=.29, p<.001) had significant effects on risk of falls and the explanatory power was 24.0% (R ² =.24, F=11.87, p<.001).
Conclusion
This study is meaningful in that it provided basic data for the possible sarcopenia as a tool to predict the risk of falls in hospitalized older patients.

Keyword

Sarcopenia; Obesity; Elderly; Falls; Patient safety