The role of medications in predicting activity restriction due to a fear of falling.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the role of medication use and other factors in predicting activity restriction due to a fear of falling (AR/FF).


METHODS
Older adults were assessed twice with the interRAI Community Health Assessment and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The main outcome was limiting going outdoors due to an AR/FF. Medications were recorded by trained assessors.


RESULTS
Participants (n = 441) had a mean age of 80.3 (SD = 7.1) years, most were aged 65+ (96.8%) and 29.3% reported activity restriction. Taking nervous system active or cardiovascular medications was associated with AR/FF. In a multivariate model, the main predictors were having 3+ comorbid health conditions, lower (i.e., worse) scores on the BBS, having difficulty with climbing stairs, and having a visual impairment.


CONCLUSIONS
Modifiable risk factors, related to functional impairments, such as difficulties with balance and vision, appear to be more important predictors than medications.
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. dguthrie@wlu.ca
Dawn M
DM
Guthrie
Paula C
PC
Fletcher
Katherine
K
Berg
Evelyn
E
Williams
Nicole
N
Boumans
John P
JP
Hirdes
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D012307:Risk Factors
D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations