@article{ref1,
title="Factors associated with the risk of falls of nursing home residents aged 80 or older",
journal="Rehabilitation nursing",
year="2015",
author="Álvarez Barbosa, Francisco and Del Pozo-Cruz, Borja and Del Pozo-Cruz, Jesús and Alfonso-Rosa, Rosa M. and Sañudo Corrales, Borja and Rogers, Michael E.",
volume="41",
number="1",
pages="16-25",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Falls are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in older and represents one of the major and most costly public health problems worldwide. <br><br>PURPOSE: Evaluate the influences of lower limb muscle performance, static balance, functional independence and quality of life on fall risk as assessed with the timed up and go (TUG) test. <br><br>DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. <br><br>METHODS: Fifty-two residents aged 80 or older were assessed and distributed in one of the two study groups (no risk of falls; risk of falls) according to the time to complete the TUG test. A Kistler force platform and linear transducer was used to determinate lower limb muscle performance. Postural Stability (static balance) was measured by recording the center of pressure. The EuroQol-5 dimension was used to assess Health-related quality of life and the Barthel index was used to examine functional status. Student's t-test was performed to evaluate the differences between groups. Correlations between variables were analyzed using Spearman or Pearson coefficient. ROC (receiver operating charasteristic) analysis was used to determine the cut-off points related to a decrease in the risk of a fall. <br><br>FINDINGS: Participants of no-fall risk group showed better lower limb performance, quality of life, and functional status. Cut-off points were determined for each outcome. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Risk of falls in nursing home residents over the age of 80 is associated with lower limb muscle performance, functional status, and quality of Life. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Cut-off points can be used by clinicians when working toward fall prevention and could help in determining the optimal lower limb muscle performance level for preventing falls.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0278-4807",
doi="10.1002/rnj.229",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/rnj.229"
}