Predictors of Injurious Falls and Fear of Falling Differ: An 11-Year Longitudinal Study of Incident Events in Older People

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of aging and health 2015-03, Vol.27 (2), p.239-256
Main Authors: Clemson, Lindy, Kendig, Hal, Mackenzie, Lynette, Browning, Colette
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Falls
Fear
Fear & phobias
Female
Health technology assessment
Humans
Incidence
Lifestyles
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Older people
Risk Factors
Social psychology
Wounds and Injuries - epidemiology
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0898-2643
1552-6887
DOI:10.1177/0898264314546716