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 .
Falls risk among a very old home-dwelling population
Objective . The aim of this prospect i ve study was to examine risk factors of falling in a very old home-dwelling population . Design . A prospect i ve study of home-dwelling elderly people . Methods . Baseline data were collected by home-nursing staff through postal question naires and clinical tests . Data on falls were recorded in telephone interviews every other month during a follow-up of 11 months constituting 494 person years ( PY ) . Negative binomial modeling was used to assess fall risk . Setting . General community . Subjects . A population sample of home-dwelling subjects aged 85 years or older ( n = 555 ) . Main outcome measures . Fall rate and risk factors of falls . Results . Altogether 512 falls occurred in 273 ( 49 % ) subjects , incidence rate 1.03/PY . According to a multivariate model , history of recurrent falling , trouble with vision when moving , use of antipsychotic drug , and feelings of anxiety , nervousness , or fear were independent risk factors for subsequent falls . Conclusion . Appropriate care of poor vision and feelings of anxiety , nervousness , or fear , and avoidance of use of antipsychotic drugs might be useful in the prevention of falls among the most elderly home-dwellers
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 .