ORs were generally higher for recurrent fallers than for all fallers .
This meta- analysis provides comprehensive evidence -based assessment of risk factors for falls in older people , confirming their multifactorial etiology .
Some nonspecific indicators of high baseline risk were also strong predictors of the risk of falling
BACKGROUND Falls are the main cause of accidental death in persons aged 65 years or older .
Different cognitive functions in relation to falls among older persons. Immediate memory as an independent risk factor for falls.
It is not clear which specific cognitive function is strongest related to falls . To investigate this , not only " general cognitive functioning , " but also " nonverbal and abstract reasoning , " " information processing speed , " and " immediate memory " were related to falls . Furthermore , relevant effect modifiers , confounders , and mediators were identified . This study was performed within the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam ( LASA ) , a multidisciplinary , prospect i ve cohort study . In this study ( n = 1437 ) , an interaction between " immediate memory " and age was found . In persons aged 75 years and over , " immediate memory , " as measured by the  15 Words Test  , showed to be an independent risk factor for falls . Part of this relationship was explained by the mediating effects of activity , mobility , and grip strength . The association between the other cognitive functions and falls was only statistically significant in univariate analysis . We conclude that " immediate memory " is an independent risk factor for recurrent falls in persons aged 75 years and older
ORs were generally higher for recurrent fallers than for all fallers .
This meta- analysis provides comprehensive evidence -based assessment of risk factors for falls in older people , confirming their multifactorial etiology .
Some nonspecific indicators of high baseline risk were also strong predictors of the risk of falling
BACKGROUND Falls are the main cause of accidental death in persons aged 65 years or older .