@article{ref1,
title="Validating an evidence-based, self-rated fall risk questionnaire (FRQ) for older adults",
journal="Journal of safety research",
year="2011",
author="Rubenstein, Laurence Z. and Vivrette, Rebecca and Harker, Judith O. and Stevens, Judy A. and Kramer, Betty Josea",
volume="42",
number="6",
pages="493-499",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Falls are a common, serious, and often unrecognized problem facing older adults. The objective of this study was to provide an initial clinical and statistical validation for a public health strategy of fall risk self-assessment by older adults using a Fall Risk Questionnaire (FRQ). METHODS: Adults age 65+ (n=40) were recruited at a Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility and at a local assisted living facility. Participants completed the FRQ self-assessment and results were compared to a &quot;gold standard&quot; of a clinical evaluation of risks using the American/British Geriatrics Society guidelines to assess independent predictors of falls: history of previous falls, fear of falling, gait/balance, muscle weakness, incontinence, sensation and proprioception, depression, vision, and medications. For the comparison, we used an iterative statistical approach, weighing items based on relative risk. RESULTS: There was strong agreement between the FRQ and clinical evaluation (kappa=.875, p<.0001). Individual item kappa values ranged from .305-.832. After dropping one FRQ item (vision risk) because of inadequate agreement with the clinical evaluation (kappa=.139, p=.321), the final FRQ had good concurrent validity. CONCLUSIONS: The FRQ goes beyond existing screening tools in that it is based on both evidence and clinical acceptability and has been initially validated with clinical examination data. A larger validation with longitudinal follow-up should determine the actual strength of the FRQ in predicting future falls.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-4375",
doi="10.1016/j.jsr.2011.08.006",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2011.08.006"
}