Different aspects of visual impairment as risk factors for falls and fractures in older men and women
- PMID: 15312256
- DOI: 10.1359/JBMR.040504
Different aspects of visual impairment as risk factors for falls and fractures in older men and women
Abstract
Visual impairment has been implicated as a risk factor for falling and fractures, but results of previous studies have been inconsistent. The relationship between several aspects of vision and falling/fractures were examined in a prospective cohort study in 1,509 older men and women. The analyses showed that impaired vision is an independent risk factor for both recurrent falling and fractures.
Introduction: Falls and fractures are a major health problem among the elderly. Visual impairment has been implicated as a risk factor for both falls and fractures. However, results from studies are inconsistent. The inconsistency between findings can primarily be attributed to differences in the designs of these studies. Most studies have been cross-sectional or case-control studies, and many have not correctly adjusted for potential confounders. Furthermore, until now, the potential mediating effects of functional limitation, physical performance, and physical activity have not been examined.
Materials and methods: A total of 1,509 people was examined in 1995-1996. Contrast sensitivity was assessed with the VCTS_6000-1 chart for near vision. In addition, self-reported visual impairment was assessed by questions on recognizing faces from a distance of 4 m, reading the small print in the newspaper, and problems with glare. Furthermore, many potential confounders and mediators were assessed. Falls and fractures were assessed prospectively during a 3-year follow-up period. The associations between the vision variables and falls and fractures were examined using Cox proportional hazards analyses.
Results: After adjustment for potential confounders, contrast sensitivity was shown to be associated with recurrent falling (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.5), and the question on recognizing faces was shown to be associated with fractures (HR = 3.1). Furthermore, functional limitations and physical performance were shown to be mediators in the relationship between vision variables and recurrent falling/fractures.
Conclusions: The results indicate that impaired vision is an independent risk factor for falling and fractures, but different aspects of visual functioning may have different relationships to falling and fractures.
Comment in
-
Better lighting to reduce falls and fracture? A comment on de Boer et al. (2004): Different aspects of visual impairment as risk factors for falls and fractures in older men and women.J Bone Miner Res. 2005 Nov;20(11):2061-2; author reply 2063. doi: 10.1359/JBMR.050804. J Bone Miner Res. 2005. PMID: 16234980 No abstract available.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical

