Study on the relationship between chronic diseases and falls in the elderly

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the risk factors on chronic diseases related to falls in the urban-community elderly and to provide evidence for developing a three-tier program for prevention. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in one community of Beijing. People aged 60 years and over were selected, using a stratified cluster sampling method, and data on falls within the past 12 months and falls-related chronic diseases were collected through face-to-face interview. Results The incidence of falls was 18.0% within one year among the 1512 interviewees. Seven factors showed statistical significances through univariate analysis including diabetes mellitus (OR =1.62), postural hypotension (OR=1.84), hypertension (OR=1.48), cerebral infarction (OR=1.98), cataract (OR=1.56), osteoarthritis (OR=1.50), dementia (OR=5.34) and depression (OR=4.61). Data from multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors for falls would include dementia (OR=4.82), depression (OR=4.27), postural hypotension (OR=1.92) and suffering from several kinds of chronic diseases etc. Conclusion The incidence of falls in an urban elderly community of Beijing was considered to be high. The risk of falls was higher among persons suffering from dementia and depression and having more than two kinds of chronic disease. The chances of falls would parallel the increase of several kinds of chronic diseases among the elderly, suggesting that measures should be actively taken to prevent from falls.