Relations of osteoporosis and follow-up duration to recurrent falls in older men and women.

SUMMARY: There were differences in risk factors between men and women and between two follow-up time lengths. Osteoporosis was significantly associated with recurrent falls for women but not for men. The relationship of osteoporosis with falls in the past year decreased during follow-up, while those of sedatives and hypnotics remained.
INTRODUCTION: A prospective study to investigate relationships between osteoporosis and recurrent falls at two follow-up lengths of 6 and 12 months in older men and women.
METHODS: In total, 204 men and 447 women who visited an emergency department due to a fall were recruited.
RESULTS: For men, the risk of falling was not significantly associated with osteoporosis at 6 or 12 months. Men with a fall history were 127 and 100 %, respectively, more likely to have a fall at 6 and 12 months than those without. Men who did not use walking aids were 97 % more likely to have a fall at 12 months than those who did. Women with osteoporosis were 246 and 104 %, respectively, more likely to have a fall at 6 and 12 months than those without. Women with a fall history were 129 and 66 %, respectively, more likely to have a fall at 6 and 12 months than those without. Women taking sedatives and hypnotics were 75 and 102 %, respectively, more likely to have a fall at 6 and 12 months than their counterparts. Women with depression were 138 % more likely to have a fall at 6 months and those using walking aids were 59 % more likely to have a fall at 12 months, compared to their counterparts.
CONCLUSIONS: Osteoporosis is association with falls for older women but not for older men. Identifying risk factors for recurrent falls in older people may be affected by the follow-up length, as their associations are reduced over time.