PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to cross-sectionally and longitudinally identify risk factors for falls, fear of falling, and falls efficacy in late-middle-aged African Americans. DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed in-home assessments on a probability sample of 998 African Americans and conducted two annual follow-up interviews. Multiple logistic regression modeled the associations with falls (any fall or injurious fall) during 2 years prior to the baseline interview, and baseline fear of falling and falls efficacy with 2-year prospective risks for falling and fear of falling. RESULTS: The most consistent association for all outcomes was depressive symptoms. Age was associated with increased risk of prior and prospective falls. Lower-body functional limitations were associated with prior falls, baseline fear of falling, and low falls efficacy, whereas low ability with one-leg stands prospectively predicted fear of falling. The greatest prospective risk for incident falls was having had a prior fall (odds ratio = 2.51), and the greatest prospective risk for fear of falling was having been afraid of falling at baseline (odds ratio = 8.14). IMPLICATIONS: Falls, fear of falling, and low falls efficacy are important issues for late-middle-aged as well as older persons. Interventions should focus on younger adults and attend especially to lower-body function and depressive symptoms as well as building self-efficacy for safe exercise, dealing with falls risks, and managing falls themselves.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to cross-sectionally and longitudinally identify risk factors for falls, fear of falling, and falls efficacy in late-middle-aged African Americans. DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed in-home assessments on a probability sample of 998 African Americans and conducted two annual follow-up interviews. Multiple logistic regression modeled the associations with falls (any fall or injurious fall) during 2 years prior to the baseline interview, and baseline fear of falling and falls efficacy with 2-year prospective risks for falling and fear of falling. RESULTS: The most consistent association for all outcomes was depressive symptoms. Age was associated with increased risk of prior and prospective falls. Lower-body functional limitations were associated with prior falls, baseline fear of falling, and low falls efficacy, whereas low ability with one-leg stands prospectively predicted fear of falling. The greatest prospective risk for incident falls was having had a prior fall (odds ratio = 2.51), and the greatest prospective risk for fear of falling was having been afraid of falling at baseline (odds ratio = 8.14). IMPLICATIONS: Falls, fear of falling, and low falls efficacy are important issues for late-middle-aged as well as older persons. Interventions should focus on younger adults and attend especially to lower-body function and depressive symptoms as well as building self-efficacy for safe exercise, dealing with falls risks, and managing falls themselves.
Authors: Torrance J Higgins; Christopher M Janelle; Kelly M Naugle; Jeffrey Knaggs; Brian M Hoover; Michael Marsiske; Todd M Manini Journal: Arch Gerontol Geriatr Date: 2012-07-06 Impact factor: 3.250
Authors: Fredric D Wolinsky; Thomas R Miller; Theodore K Malmstrom; J Philip Miller; Mario Schootman; Elena M Andresen; Douglas K Miller Journal: J Aging Health Date: 2008-01-11
Authors: Sara L Wright; Rachel E Kay; Erich T Avery; Bruno Giordani; Neil B Alexander Journal: J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol Date: 2011-06-24 Impact factor: 2.680
Authors: Mario Schootman; Elena M Andresen; Fredric D Wolinsky; J Philip Miller; Yan Yan; Douglas K Miller Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2010-05-27 Impact factor: 3.295