TY - JOUR
PY - 2018//
TI - Ethnicity predicts falls among community-dwelling older adults in Singapore
JO - Geriatrics and gerontology international
A1 - Chen, Tuo-Yu
A1 - Tan, Pey June
A1 - Chan, Angelique
SP - 72
EP - 79
VL - 18
IS - 1
N2 - AIM: The present study examined whether ethnicity independently predicted future falls among community-dwelling older Singaporeans, and whether ethnicity moderated the relationships between falls risk factors at baseline and falls at follow up.
METHODS: Data from a longitudinal survey of older Singaporeans were used. Baseline assessment included handgrip strength, global cognitive function, mobility difficulties, health and psychosocial status. One-year retrospective falls information at follow up was the primary outcome.
RESULTS: Final analysis included 1975 participants (mean age 73.6 ± 6.2 years, 53% women). Indians, followed by Malays, had a higher risk of falling compared with Chinese at follow up. This association remained after controlling for falls risk factors. Self-reported pain and poor global cognitive function imposed a substantial increment in the risk of falling among Malays compared with Chinese, but not Indians.
CONCLUSION: Ethnicity was a significant predictor of future falls among older Singaporeans. Falls screening and intervention should take ethnicity into account to reach and support the appropriate target population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; ••: ••-••.
© 2017 Japan Geriatrics Society.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 1444-1586 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ggi.13143 ID - ref1 ER -