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Mortality, Disability, and Falls in Older Persons: the Role of Underlying Disease and Disability

Overview
Journal Am J Public Health
Specialty Public Health
Date 1992 Mar 1
PMID 1531583
Citations 38
Authors
J E Dunn
M A Rudberg
S E Furner
C K Cassel
Affiliations
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Abstract

Background: Falls are prevalent in older persons and can have serious consequences.

Methods: Data from the Longitudinal Study on Aging were analyzed to study the relationship between falls and both mortality and functional status in 4270 respondents age 70 and over. The effects of demographic traits, chronic conditions, and disability present at baseline were controlled for by means of multivariable analyses.

Results: Risk of death within 2 years was greater for both single fallers (crude odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.0) and multiple fallers (crude OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.7-2.8). This excess risk was dissipated when selected covariates were added to the model. No crude or adjusted association was evident between single falls and functional impairment; however, multiple falls were an independent risk factor (adjusted OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0).

Conclusions: Multiple falls in older persons increase risk of functional impairment and may indicate underlying conditions that increase risk of death.

Citing Articles

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The impact of falls on activities of daily living in older adults: A retrospective cohort analysis.

Adam C, Fitzpatrick A, Leary C, Ilango S, Phelan E, Semmens E PLoS One. 2024; 19(1):e0294017.

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A qualitative investigation of health benefits through a modified Taekwondo activity among nursing home residents.

Kim J, Kim Y, Seo D, Han S BMC Geriatr. 2023; 23(1):232.

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Beyond physiology: Acute effects of side-alternating whole-body vibration on well-being, flexibility, balance, and cognition using a light and portable platform A randomized controlled trial.

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The Value of Cognitive and Physical Function Tests in Predicting Falls in Older Adults: A Prospective Study.

Zhou R, Li J, Chen M Front Med (Lausanne). 2022; 9:900488.

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