Mortality, disability, and falls in older persons: the role of underlying disease and disability.
BACKGROUND
Falls are prevalent in older persons and can have serious consequences.


METHODS
Data from the Longitudinal Study on Aging were analyzed to study the relationship between falls and both mortality and functional status in 4270 respondents age 70 and over. The effects of demographic traits, chronic conditions, and disability present at baseline were controlled for by means of multivariable analyses.


RESULTS
Risk of death within 2 years was greater for both single fallers (crude odds ratio [OR], 1.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.0) and multiple fallers (crude OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.7-2.8). This excess risk was dissipated when selected covariates were added to the model. No crude or adjusted association was evident between single falls and functional impairment; however, multiple falls were an independent risk factor (adjusted OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.0).


CONCLUSIONS
Multiple falls in older persons increase risk of functional impairment and may indicate underlying conditions that increase risk of death.
Dunn
J E
JE
University of Illinois School of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatics Program, Chicago.
Rudberg
M A
MA
Furner
S E
SE
Cassel
C K
CK
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology