AI Article Synopsis
- The prevention of falls in older adults is a critical public health concern, influenced by various risk factors.
- This study examined fall risk among 335 participants aged 65 and older, using a comprehensive assessment that included the Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment Tool and the Mini-Mental State Examination.
- Findings revealed that 40.6% had a moderate-high fall risk, with cognitive aspects like attention and calculation linked to lower fall risk, while sarcopenia was associated with higher fall risk, suggesting the need for thorough assessments for those with low cognitive scores despite normal MMSE results.
Article Abstract
Background: The prevention of falls among older adults is one of the most important public health issues in today's aging society. There are many factors significantly affecting the risk of falls.
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the factors on fall risk in older adults.
Methods: A total of 335 elderly outpatients aged 65 and over were included in this cross-sectional study. Comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed on the participants. Tinetti Balance and Gait Assessment Tool (TBGA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were used to assess fall risk and cognitive functions, respectively.
Results: The mean age of 335 participants was 72.1 ± 6.0 years and 55.2% was female. Of the participants, 40.6% had a moderate-high fall risk according to TBGA and 31.6% had a history of falls within the last year. Although there was no significant difference in MMSE results between the medium-high fall risk group and the low fall risk group, higher MMSE attention and calculation domain score was found to be an independent variable for decreased fall risk and sarcopenia for increased fall risk (p = 0.039, OR = 0.70 and p = 0.037, OR = 3.43, respectively).
Conclusion: The role of sarcopenia in fall risk is well established. In this study, we also showed that attention and calculation play important roles in fall risk. Elderly individuals with low scores in attention and calculation domains need a more detailed assessment in terms of fall risk, even if cognitive functions are considered normal according to the MMSE.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11845-022-02978-z | DOI Listing |
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