Correlates of falling during 24 h among elderly Danish community residents.

OBJECTIVES

To identify dietary, medical, and environmental correlates of falling during the last 24 h among elderly community residents. The limited accuracy of recall of falls in the elderly in previous studies was the reason for a 24-h time frame.

METHODS

The study composes 4281 community residents aged 66+ years. The statistical analyses included Pearson's chi(2) test and multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

Mutually independent correlates of falls were a family history of fracture (OR, 3.0; 95% CI: 1.3-7.1); osteoarthrosis of the knee (OR, 2.9; 95% CI: 1.3-6.2); dizziness (OR, 4.1; 95% CI: 1.9-8.9); a diet not including sour dairy products (OR, 3.0; 95% CI: 1.4-6.3) or fish (OR, 3.4; 95% CI: 1.5-7.5); drinking tea (OR, 5.8; 95% CI 2.15-15.30); needing help for shopping (OR, 3.9; 95% CI: 1.6-9.3); and for administration of medicine (OR, 9.0; 95% CI: 2.0-40.6). Independent environmental correlates were vinyl on the floor in the bathroom (OR, 6.6; 95% CI: 2.1-20.9) and using indoor footwear without soles (OR, 5.5; 95% CI: 2.3-13.4).

CONCLUSION

The present analyses suggest that several factors are associated to the risk of falling among elderly community residents. It appears relevant for further studies to test if modifications of the potential risk factors identified may reduce falls among community dwelling older persons.