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. 2023 Jun 29:11:1180914.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1180914. eCollection 2023.

Factors associated with falls among hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults: the APPCARE study

Esmée L S Bally  1 , Lizhen Ye  1 , Amy van Grieken  1 , Siok Swan Tan  2 , Francesco Mattace-Raso  3 , Elena Procaccini  4 , Tamara Alhambra-Borrás  5 , Hein Raat  1
Affiliations

Factors associated with falls among hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults: the APPCARE study

Esmée L S Bally et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: Falls are a leading cause of disability. Previous studies have identified various risk factors for falls. However, contemporary novel research is needed to explore these and other factors associated with falls among a diverse older adult population. This study aims to identify the factors associated with falls among hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from the 'Appropriate care paths for frail elderly people: a comprehensive model' (APPCARE) study were analyzed. The study sample consisted of hospitalized and community-dwelling older adults. Falling was assessed by asking whether the participant had fallen within the last 12 months. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between socio-demographic characteristics, potential fall risk factors and falls.

Results: The sample included 113 hospitalized (mean age = 84.2 years; 58% female) and 777 community-dwelling (mean age = 77.8 years; 49% female) older adults. Among hospitalized older adults, loneliness was associated with an increased risk of falls. Associations between female sex, secondary education lever or lower, multimorbidity, a higher score on limitations with activities of daily living (ADL), high risk of malnutrition and falling were found among community-dwelling participants.

Conclusion: The results of this study confirm the multi-factorial nature of falling and the complex interaction of risk factors. Future fall prevention programs could be tailored to the needs of vulnerable subpopulations at high risk for falls.

Keywords: accidental falls; aging; older adults; prevention; risk factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Population of analysis.
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