Miedo a las caídas en las personas mayores no institucionalizadas

Fear of Falling in Older Adults Treated at a Geriatric Day Hospital: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: The fear of falling (FOF) is a geriatric syndrome that causes a decrease in daily activities and personal autonomy. Its prevalence is highly variable as are the methodologies used to assess it. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence and describing the main determinants of FOF in older adults attending a geriatric day hospital. (2) Methods: Descriptive, cross-sectional study of individuals aged ≥70 years, who attended an ambulatory functional rehabilitation group in the metropolitan area of Barcelona. FOF was assessed using the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale. Other recorded outcomes were: sex, age, marital status, living alone, level of education, degree of autonomy, pain, previous falls, visual acuity, and signs of depression. Prevalence was estimated overall and according to the possible determinants. (3) Results: The study included 62 individuals (66.1% women), with a prevalence of fear of falling of 38.7% (95% CI 26.2–51.2%). The identified determinants were pain (OR = 7.4, 95% CI 1.4–39.7), a history of falls (OR = 25.3, 95% CI 2.1–303.4), poor visual acuity (OR = 5.6, 95% CI 1.0–29.8), and signs of depression (OR = 19.3, 95% CI 1.4–264.3). (4) Conclusions: The prevalence and determinants of fear of falling in older adults attending geriatric day hospitals were similar to those described in those dwelling in the community.

The effect that the Otago Exercise Programme had on fear of falling in community dwellers aged 65-80 and associated factors

BACKGROUND

Falls are a major public health problem. Fear of falling is highly prevalent amongst community-dwelling older adults who have already fallen and it is also a risk factor for recurrent falls. There has been limited research about the impact that exercises programs have on the fear of falling. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the Otago Exercise Programme (OEP) reduced the fear of falling in non-institutionalised people aged 65-80 years in Spain. It also evaluated the factors associated with the fear of falling.

METHODS

This was a quasi-experimental study that focused on people aged 65-80 who attended 21 primary healthcare centres, lived in the community, were able to walk independently and provided written, informed consent. They were recruited from September 2017 to December 2019. The OEP sessions took place at the primary healthcare centres and were provided on an individual or group basis by trained OEP instructors. The participants attended five weekly sessions, where they were given exercises to develop their strength, balance and endurance. They then continued the programme at home. The subjects were followed up 12 months after baseline and the analyses included a bivariate analysis and a multivariate analysis with logistic regression.

RESULTS

We enroled 498 patients (67.07% female) with an average age of 71.81 years. More than two-thirds (65.06%) lived with a partner and 42.37% were overweight. Significant reductions were observed in the mean level of fear of falling between baseline and 12 months (p = 0.000). A number of factors associated with fear of falling also showed significant differences. These were: age (p = 0.033), sex (p = 0.000), living alone (p = 0.000), body mass index (p = 0.003) and whether psychotropic drugs were used (p = 0.000). The multivariate analysis showed a moderate to high fear of falling amongst participants who were female (p = 0.000), 72-80 years of age (p = 0.017), obese (p = 0.045) and used psychotropic drugs (p = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

Taking part in the OEP reduced the overall fear of falling. There were significant associations between fear of falling and being female, taking psychotic drugs and having a history of falls. This study is a quasi-experimental sign nested an experimental study (randomized controlled trial previously published and registered on ClinicalTrials.org (NCT03320668)). Retrospectively registered on 25/10/2017.

Factors associated with fear of falling among frail older adults

Some factors increase the fear of falling in frail older adults. Our aim is to quantify the influence of these factors. This cross-sectional study involved 229 community-dwelling prefrail and frail older adults aged 70 years and older. Fear of falling was moderate in 38.9% of our sample and high in 12.2%. Higher values were observed in women, those living alone, and those meeting criteria for slowness and feelings of exhaustion. A linear regression showed that being a woman, a history of falls, and depressive symptoms were related to higher fear of falling, while high levels of independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living, along with good gait and balance, were associated with lower fear of falling. Screening for depressive symptoms and fear of falling in the comprehensive geriatric assessment of frail community-dwelling older adults could help to support preventive strategies.

[Prevalence of fear of falling and related factors in community-dwelling older people]

Objetivo

El objetivo general del estudio es conocer la prevalencia de la preocupación a caer en personas mayores, independientes para la deambulación, que viven en la comunidad, según la versión reducida del FES-I y los factores asociados que influyen en esta preocupación.

Diseño

Estudio descriptivo transversal.

Emplazamiento

Centro de Salud El Greco (Getafe), Gerencia Asistencial de Atención Primaria de Madrid.

Participantes

Ciento ochenta y nueve pacientes ≥ 70 años independientes o con dependencia funcional leve-moderada (índice de Barthel ≥ 60) e independientes para la deambulación (camina 45 min sin ayuda o con bastón). El estudio se ofreció a 328 personas: 217 aceptaron y rechazaron 111.

Mediciones principales

La variable dependiente, miedo a caerse (MC), fue evaluada mediante el cuestionario Short FES-I, considerando como punto de corte para el cribado positivo del MC una puntuación ≥ 11. Como variables independientes se consideraron: índice de Barthel, escala Downton, prueba de fragilidad Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), caídas en el último año, lesiones asociadas a las caídas, tiempo desde la última caída, déficit sensorial, uso de dispositivos de la marcha, comorbilidad y tratamiento farmacológico.

Resultados

La prevalencia del MC fue del 42,9% (IC 95%: 35,5-50,2). Los factores asociados al MC en el análisis multivariante final fueron: sexo femenino, vivir solo, alto riesgo de caídas, presencia de fragilidad, uso de hipotensores y lesiones asociadas a caídas previas.

Conclusiones

La prevalencia del miedo a caer en personas mayores es elevada. Los profesionales de atención primaria deben sistematizar el cribado de este problema de salud, priorizando especialmente en las personas que presentan los siguientes factores de riesgo: ser mujer, vivir solo, tener una puntuación baja en el SPPB (como indicador de fragilidad) o presentar un elevado riesgo de caídas.

A Regression Tree for Identifying Risk Factors for Fear of Falling: The International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS)

BACKGROUND

We determine the best combination of factors for predicting the risk of developing fear of falling (FOF) in older people via Classification Regression Tree (CaRT) analysis.

METHODS

Community-dwelling older adults living in Canada, Albania, Brazil, and Colombia were from International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS). In 2014, 1,725 participants (aged 65-74) were assessed. With a retention rate of 81%, in 2016, 1,409 individuals were reassessed. Risk factors for FOF were entered into the CaRT: age, sex, education, self-rated health, comorbidity, medication, visual impairment, frailty, cognitive deficit, depression, fall history, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), walking aid use, and mobility disability measured by the Nagi questionnaire.

RESULTS

The classification tree included 12 end groups representing differential risks of FOF with a minimum of two and a maximum of five predictors. The first split in the tree involved impaired physical function (SPPB scores). Respondents with less than 8 in SPPB score and mobility disability had 82% risk of developing FOF at the end of 2-year follow-up. Between 23.2% and 82.3% of the risk of developing FOF in 2 years of follow-up were explained by only five variables: age, sex, self-rated health, functional impairment measured by SPPB, and mobility disability. In those with no functional impairment or mobility disability, levels of education, sex, and self-rated health were important predictors of FOF in the future.

CONCLUSION

This classification tree included different groups based on specific combinations of a maximum of five easily measurable predictors with emphasis on impaired physical functioning risk factors for developing FOF.

[Socioeconomic inequalities in health among the elderly population in Spain]

OBJECTIVE

To examine socioeconomic inequalities in health in the older population in Spain.

METHOD

A systematic search and review of the literature published between 2000 and 2017 in English and Spanish was conducted in Social Science Citation Index, Sociology Database, Scopus, PubMed and Embase. Primary and secondary studies analysing these inequalities in Spain were included. Two researchers were responsible for the selection of the studies and the extraction of the information (first author, year of publication, region, design, population/sample, socioeconomic and health indicators used, and main results).

RESULTS

A total of 89 articles were included, corresponding to 87 studies. Of the studies, 81.6% were cross-sectional, 88.5% included only non-institutionalised population and 35.6% were carried out at a national level. The studies analysed social inequalities in the following health indicators: functional status (n=29), morbidity (n=19), self-perceived health (n=18), mental and emotional health (n=10), cognitive status (n=7), quality of life (n=9), mortality (n=15) and life expectancy (n=2). Socioeconomic inequalities were detected in all of them, although the magnitude varied depending on the socioeconomic and health indicator used. The educational level and the ecological indexes were the indicators that detected more inequalities in health. The impact of inequalities by sex was different in functional status, morbidity, self-perceived health, mental and emotional health and mortality.

CONCLUSION

There are socioeconomic inequalities in health among the elderly population and their magnitude varies by sex in some of the health indicators. The increase in educational level and the maintenance of sufficient pensions can be key policies that contribute to the reduction of inequalities in this population group.

[Social inequalities in health among the elderly population: review of indicators used in Spain]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the indicators of social position used to evaluate inequalities in health among the population aged 65 and over in Spain.

METHOD

A systematic search of the literature published in English and Spanish since 2000 in health and social databases was carried out. Primary and secondary studies analyzing these inequalities in Spain were included. The indicators used were identified, as well as the advantages and limitations pointed out by the authors. The main findings were synthesized in a review of the literature.

RESULTS

We included 87 studies, described in 89 articles. The socioeconomic indicators employed were both individual and ecological. Among the former, educational level was the most analyzed socioeconomic variable (n=73). Other individual variables used were occupation (n=17), objective economic level (n=16), subjective economic level (n=4), housing and household material wealth (n=6), relationship with work activity (n=5), and mixed measures (n=5). Among the ecological indicators, simple (n=3) and complex indices (n=7) were identified. The latter had been constructed based on several indicators, such as educational level and unemployment. Inequalities in multiple health indicators were analyzed, self-perceived health being the only indicator assessed according to all the socioeconomic indicators described.

CONCLUSIONS

A wide variety of indicators is identified for the evaluation of social inequalities in health among the elderly population. There have not been sufficiently assessed from a gender perspective; this is a line of interest for future research.

Characteristics Associated With Fear of Falling and Activity Restriction in South Korean Older Adults

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics associated with fear-induced activity restriction and determine those that distinguish older adults with fear-induced activity restriction from those with fear of falling alone. Method: Data taken from the survey of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging in 2010 were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with fear of falling and fear-induced activity restriction. Results: A total of 22.5% of the participants reported no fear of falling, 48.6% reported fear of falling alone, and 28.9% reported fear-induced activity restriction. Characteristics independently associated with fear-induced activity restriction were low socioeconomic status, cognitive impairment, difficulty with activities of daily living, and a history of injurious falls. Discussion: The differences between older adults with fear-induced activity restriction and those with fear of falling alone may guide refinement of intervention and preventive programs.

Factors associated with fear of falling and associated activity restriction in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Fear of falling (FOF) is an important threat to autonomy. Current interventions to reduce FOF have yielded conflicting results. A possible reason for this discrepancy could be its multicausality. Some risk factors may not have been identified and addressed in recent studies. The last systematic review included studies until 2006.

METHODS

To identify additional risk factors for FOF and to test those mentioned previously, we conducted a systematic literature review. Studies examining FOF in community-dwelling older adults between 2006 and October 2013 were screened.

RESULTS

Outcomes are summarized with respect to different constructs such as FOF, fall-related self-efficacy/balance confidence, and FOF-related activity restriction. Odds ratios and p values are reported. There is no clear pattern with regard to the different FOF-related constructs studied. The only parameters robustly associated across all constructs were female gender, performance-based and questionnaire-based physical function, the use of a walking aid, and, less robust, a history of falls and poor self-rated health. Conflicting results were identified for depression and anxiety, multiple drugs, and psychotropic drugs. Other potentially modifiable risk factors were only mentioned in one or two studies and warrant further investigation. Parameters with mainly negative results are also presented.

CONCLUSION

Only few risk factors identified were robustly associated across all FOF-related constructs and should be included in future studies on FOF. Some newer factors have to be tested again in different cohorts. The comprehensive overview might assist in the conceptualization of future studies.

Effectiveness of an Intervention to Reduce the Fear of Falling in Elderly Persons

Objetivo: las caídas y el miedo a caerse se relacionan entre sí, siendo cada uno de ellos factor de riesgo del otro. Este trabajo pretende analizar la efectividad de una intervención para reducir el miedo a caer y sus consecuencias dado que la aplicación de este tipo de tratamientos ha mostrado resultados satisfactorios. Método: mediante un diseño cuasi-experimental, con medidas pre-pos, se evaluó a 53 sujetos, con edades comprendidas entre 65 y 89 años y que habían sufrido una caída anterior. La muestra fue dividida en grupo control y tratamiento, poniéndose en marcha un método combinado de ejercicios y educación sanitaria para la prevención de caídas. Resultados: se obtuvieron resultados significativos en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, el equilibrio y el miedo a caer, observándose mejoras en el grupo tratamiento. Conclusión: la aplicación de intervenciones para la reducción del miedo a caerse en población anciana se plantea como un tratamiento cuyos efectos serían dobles, pues no solo se reduciría el propio miedo sino que, dada la asociación existente, se reduciría la posible caída por repetición.

Accidental falls in the elderly and their relation with functional capacity

AIM: This study aimed to determinate the prevalence of falls in the elderly and its relationship with the functional capacity. METHOD: This is an epidemiological and cross-sectional study; a two-stage cluster sample of 240 male and female subjects aged over 60 years was used. Data were collected from November 2010 to February 2011. The following questionnaires were used: socio-demographic profile, assessment of falls, Functional Independence Measure, Lawton and Brody Scale. Significance was set at 0.05. To identify the occurrence of falls and their relation with functional capacity, the prevalence ratio and prevalence odds ratios were used, as well as multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Average age was 73.5 years (±8.4); 25% 80 years or more, with preponderance of female gender; 48.8% attended school between 1-4 years. The average was 1.33 falls (±0.472), with prevalence in women and elderly between 60 and 79 years old; the most frequently sites were the backyard and bathroom. Strong correlation between the level of functional independence and instrumental activities and age was found, but no relation between elderly victims of falls and the gender and age variables. CONCLUSION: Women who suffered falls related to functional independence were predominant, which can be prevented through elderly health promotion strategies, a policy that serves to offer living conditions to people in the aging process.