Citation

Clemson L, Kendig H, Mackenzie L, Browning C. J. Aging Health 2014; 27(2): 239-256.

Affiliation

ARC Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research, Sydney & Canberra, Australia Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0898264314546716

PMID

25117181

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to identify the intrinsic, psychosocial and lifestyle factors, which, over time, predict the incidence of having a fall requiring medical attention (injurious fall) or of acquiring a fear of falling (FOF).

METHOD: Data from 1,000 participants in the Melbourne Longitudinal Studies on Healthy Ageing (MELSHA, 1994-2005) were analyzed using cox regressions and hazard ratios.

RESULTS: The predictors of injurious falls (n = 900, events = 200) were increasing age, slower gait speed, and being depressed. Main predictors of developing a FOF (n = 855, events =117) were increasing age, cognitive impairment, reduced social activity, and gender. A history of falls at baseline did not predict acquiring a FOF nor did FOF predict a future fall.

DISCUSSION: The profile of the person who will have an injurious fall differs from the profile of the person who develops a FOF and should be considered when designing interventions.

Language: en