Is a Type A behavior pattern associated with falling among the community-dwelling elderly?
The aim of this report is to investigate the relationship between Type A behavior patterns and the likelihood of falling among community-dwelling elderly, and to compare differences in the prevalence, reasons, locations, injuries and frequency of falls between Type A and non-Type A personalities. Persons aged 60 or older living in 3 communities of Nanjing, China participated in a baseline survey conducted in 2000 (n=879), and falling incidents were followed for 1 year. The survey employed a self-administered questionnaire designed to elicit demographic data, current health problems and medications taken, intake of alcohol, exercise habits, physical function, environmental hazards and Type A behavior patterns. Several factors associated with falling such as health condition, physical function and environmental factors did not differ between the Type A and non-Type A groups except in the male tendency toward heart disease and their inability to walk fast. The results of logistic regression analyses showed that a Type A behavior pattern was independently associated with falling in males but not in females. Findings in the present study suggest that a Type A behavior pattern might play an important role in the rate of falling incidents in elderly males, since some characteristics of this personality pattern might lead to risk-taking behavior. More studies are needed to evaluate the association of certain behavior patterns with falling incidents.
Zhang
Jian-Guo
JG
Division of Health Promotion and Exercise, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, 1-23-1 Toyama Shinjuku, Tokyo 162-8636, Japan.
Ishikawa-Takata
Kazuko
K
Yamazaki
Hideo
H
Ohta
Toshiki
T
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014434:Type A Personality