1. Predictors for functional decline after an injurious fall: a population-based cohort study
- Author
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Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga, Anna-Karin Welmer, Weili Xu, Debora Rizzuto, and Stina Ek
- Subjects
Aging ,Activities of daily living ,ADL ,Poison control ,Suicide prevention ,Care provision ,Occupational safety and health ,Cohort Studies ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Risk Factors ,Activities of Daily Living ,Injury prevention ,Humans ,Medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,IADL ,Aged ,Sweden ,business.industry ,Disability trajectories ,SNAC-K ,Older adults ,Population study ,Original Article ,Accidental Falls ,Geriatrics and Gerontology ,business ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,Demography ,Cohort study - Abstract
Background The functional consequences of injurious falls are well known. However, studies of the factors that can modify trajectories of disability after an injury from a fall are scarce. Aims We aimed to investigate whether sociodemographic and health-related factors may impact this association. Methods The study population consisted of 1426 community-dwelling older adults (≥ 60 years) from the SNAC-K cohort study in Stockholm, Sweden. Functional status over 12 years of follow-up was assessed using the number of limitations in basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Sex, cohabitation status, physical activity, and self-rated health were assessed at baseline. Injurious falls were defined as falls requiring healthcare and were assessed over 3 years starting at baseline. Data were analyzed using linear-mixed effects models. Results The fastest increase in the number of disabilities was observed in those who had endured an injurious fall and were living alone (β coefficient = 0.408; p β coefficient = 0.587; p β coefficient = 0.514; p Discussion Living alone, being physically inactive, and having poor self-rated health magnifies the negative effect of an injurious fall on functional status. Among individuals who endure an injurious fall, the heterogeneity in long-term functional status is substantial, depending on the individuals’ characteristics and behaviors. Conclusions These findings emphasize the need for a person-centered approach in care provision and can guide secondary prevention within health care.
- Published
- 2020