Medical illnesses are more important than medications as risk factors of falls in older community dwellers? A cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have confirmed the contribution of various medications towards falls in the older population. Recently questions were raised as to whether the chronic illnesses or drug use was more important.


OBJECTIVE
We attempt to test the hypothesis that underlying medical illnesses are the cause of falls rather than medications.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Urban community in Hong Kong.


METHODS
4,000 Ambulatory community-dwelling men and women aged 65 years or over.


METHODS
Demographic data, fall history in the previous 12 months, medical diagnoses, current medications and self-rated health were recorded. Body measurements and neuromuscular function tests were performed. Medical diagnoses and their corresponding medications were tested simultaneously in a multivariate model.


RESULTS
789 (19.7%) Subjects reported at least one fall and 235 (5.9%) experienced two or more falls. After adjustment for age and sex, medications associated with any falls were aspirin, diabetic drugs, nitrates, NSAIDs, and paracetamol, and those associated with recurrent falls were calcium channel blockers, diabetic drugs, nitrates, NSAIDs, aspirin and statins. Only anti-diabetics and nitrate showed moderate and borderline significance in multivariate analyses for recurrent and any falls respectively (OR 2.9, P = 0.01; OR 1.5, P = 0.027). Other medications failed to show significant relationship with falls, while eye diseases, heart diseases and musculoskeletal pain showed variable associations.


CONCLUSIONS
The apparent association between many medications and falls was mediated through the underlying medical diagnoses and neuromuscular impairment. Anti-diabetics agents were associated with falls.
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, 9/F Clinical Science Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR. jleesw_2000@yahoo.com
Jenny S W
JS
Lee
Timothy
T
Kwok
P C
PC
Leung
Jean
J
Woo
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors