Chronic musculoskeletal pain and the occurrence of falls in an older population.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Chronic pain is a major contributor to disability in older adults; however, the potential role of chronic pain as a risk factor for falls is poorly understood.

Objective

To determine whether chronic musculoskeletal pain is associated with an increased occurrence of falls in a cohort of community-living older adults.

Design, setting, and participants

The Maintenance of Balance, Independent Living, Intellect, and Zest in the Elderly (MOBILIZE) Boston Study is a population-based longitudinal study of falls involving 749 adults aged 70 years and older. Participants were enrolled from September 2005 through January 2008.

Main outcome measure

Participants recorded falls on monthly calendar postcards mailed to the study center during an 18-month period.

Res

SUBMITTER: Leveille SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2927855 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature