Citation

Thiamwong L, Thamarpirat J, Maneesriwongul W, Jitapunkul S. J. Med. Assoc. Thai. 2008; 91(12): 1823-1831.

Affiliation

School of Nursing, Walailak University, Nakhonsithammarat, Thailand.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Medical Association of Thailand)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19133516

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To develop falls risk assessment test that is appropriate for community-dwelling Thai elderly, and to verify this test with the second set of population. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed in 270 elderly living in Bansrang subdistrict, Ayuttaya province to identify a combination of variables that effectively predicted fall status in order to develop the Thai-FRAT The Thai-FRAT was validated with a second set of population whose cohort data had been collected during 1997-2002 in the study named"CERB project". One hundred fifty six elderly subjects were recruited in the analysis. RESULTS: The newly developed Thai-FRAT was composed of six factors including"History of falls","Impaired body balance","Female","Specific medication use","Impaired visual acuity"and"Thai style house". Possible score of the Thai-FRAT ranged from 0-11. The best cutoff score identified by the receiver operating curve analysis was 4. Sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 and 0.83 respectively. The Thai-FRAT could predict recurrent fall after two years among the elderly subjects who had had a history of fall during the past six months in the second set of population. Association between the Thai-FRAT score and mortality was also shown. CONCLUSION: The Thai-FRAT is the first fall risk assessment test developed for Thai community-dwelling elderly. It is a valid and reliable measure of fall risk. An effect of environment on falls among Thai elderly was clarified in the present study.

Language: en