Fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults: A cause of falls, a consequence, or both?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite the number of studies that have tried to demonstrate that there is an association between previous falls and the fear of falling, the relationship between these two variables remains a matter of controversy.

Objectives

Our objective was to investigate whether the fear of falling is a cause of falls, a consequence, or both in community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 75 years old.

Methods

A descriptive, longitudinal, prospective study was performed. A total of 640 individuals were interviewed between 2009 and 2011. Sociodemographic data, health status, history of falls and fear of falling were assessed at baseline and at 24 months.

Results

The prevalence of falls at baseline was 25% as opposed to 35.2% at 24 months. The prevalence of the fear of fallin

SUBMITTER: Lavedan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5875785 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature