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 .
The Physical Performance Test as a predictor of frequent fallers: a prospective community-based cohort study
Objective : To construct a risk model in order to identify elderly individuals at risk of frequent falling . Design : Prospect i ve community-based cohort study over 12 months . Setting : Baseline measures were performed at a local community centre . Subjects : Two hundred and sixty-three community-dwelling elderly people ( mean age 72 years ) . Measurements : A variety of variables were evaluated , including medical , psychological , sensory , physical and postural control measurements . Fall incidence was monitored retrospectively and during one-year follow-up . Results : Logistic regression analysis showed that polypharmacia was the most prominent medical fall predictor with an odds ratio ( OR ) of 1.29 ( P = 0.005 ) , poor visual acuity the best sensory predictor ( OR=0.84 ; P = 0.009 ) and general fear of falling the most crucial psychological predictor ( OR=3.25 ; P B=0.001 ) . Increased postural sway in near-t and em stance with eyes open was selected as the best balance predictor for falls ( OR=5.60 ; P = 0.010 ) , followed by delayed anteroposterior movement velocity during rhythmic weight shifts ( OR=0.42 ; P = 0.004 ) . The best physical predictor was a low score on the Physical Performance Test ( OR=4.16 ; P < 0.001 ) , followed by decreased maximal h and grip strength ( OR=0.87 ; P < 0.001 ) and increased timed chair-st and s ( OR=1.13 ; P < 0.003 ) . Step-by-step regression analysis revealed a risk model for the prediction of future falls , as a combination of the Physical Performance Test and maximal h and grip strength . Conclusion : This study confirms the multicausality of falls , since medical , psychological , sensory , postural control as well as physical variables provides a predictive value . The composed fall risk model was mainly physically oriented
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 .