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Prospective Associations of Physical Frailty With Future Falls and Fear of Falling: A 48-Month Cohort Study
- Source :
- PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal. June, 2021, Vol. 101 Issue 6, p1i, 8 p.
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Objective. The present study aimed to examine the prospective associations of physical frailty with future falls and fear of falling (FOF) among community-dwelling older adults. Methods. A prospective cohort study with a 48-month follow-up was conducted in a Japanese community. Participants were 2469 community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years or older who completed baseline and follow-up assessments at intervals of 48 [+ or -] 2 months. Primary outcomes were recent falls (defined as at least one fall within the past year) and FOF (determined by response to 'Are you afraid of falling?') at follow-up survey. Physical frailty, operationalized by the frailty phenotype (slowness, weakness, exhaustion, weight loss, and low activity) based on the criteria of the Japanese version of the Cardiovascular Health Study (J-CHS), was also assessed as a predictor of future falls and FOF. Results. Multivariable logistic regression showed that prefrailty or frailty increase the risk of not only future falls (odds ratio [OR]: 1.57; 95% CI = 1.2 0 -2.05) but also FOF (OR: 1.33; 95%CI = 1.0 5 -1.69). In addition, the relationship between baseline frailty status and future falls remained significant after adjusting for baseline FOF (OR: 1.55; 95% CI = 1.1 9 -2.02), and the relationship between baseline frailty status and future FOF also remained significant after adjusting for baseline falls (OR: 1.32; 95% CI = 1.0 4 -1.68). Conclusions. Frailty status may predict future falls and FOF among community-dwelling older adults. Strategies to prevent frailty may be beneficial to prevent not only future falls but also future FOF in a community setting. Impact. Falls and FOF have a close relationship but a different clinical meaning. Older adults with physical frailty may require monitoring as high risk not only for falls but also for FOF. Keywords: Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Falls, Fear of Falling, Physical Frailty<br />Introduction With global population aging, frailty in older age has received increased research attention. Frailty is a biological syndrome associated with multisystem decline in physiological reserves and increased vulnerability to [...]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 15386724
- Volume :
- 101
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- PTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.697556019
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/pzab059