Dizziness and its association with walking speed and falls efficacy among older men and women in an urban population

BackgroundDizziness is common among older people and falling is a feared complication.AimThe purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of dizziness and its association with falls, walking speed and fear of falling, including sex differences, among 79-year-olds. Secondary purposes were to describe the relationship between dizziness and falls to number of medications and diseases.MethodThe study consisted of the fifth cohort of Gothenburg’s H70 birth cohort studies. A sample of 662 79-year-olds (404 women, 258 men) were investigated with questions regarding dizziness, previous falls and falls efficacy [estimated according to the falls efficacy scale Swedish version (FES (S))]. Functional tests included self-selected and maximal walking speed over 20 m.ResultsDizziness was reported among 51% of the women and by 58% of the men (p = 0.12). Approximately, 40% had fallen during the past 12 months (41% women, 38% of the men,p = 0.48). Dizziness was related to a higher risk of falls among women (OR 2.63 (95% CI 1.67−4.14,p p = 0.8). Dizzy individuals had lower scores on FES (S) (p p p p ConclusionWomen with dizziness more often reported falls compared to women without dizziness—a trend that was not seen among men. Persons with dizziness walked slower. Many medications increased risk of falling; hence, number of medications alone might help pinpoint risk groups for falling.