[Fall prediction model for community-dwelling elders based on gender].
OBJECTIVE
This study was done to explore factors relating to number of falls among community-dwelling elders, based on gender.


METHODS
Participants were 403 older community dwellers (male=206, female=197) aged 60 or above. In this study, 8 variables were identified as predictive factors that can result in an elderly person falling and as such, supports previous studies. The 8 variables were categorized as, exogenous variables; perceived health status, somatization, depression, physical performance, and cognitive state, and endogenous variables; fear of falling, ADL & IADL and frequency of falls.


RESULTS
For men, ability to perform ADL & IADL (β(32)=1.84, p<.001) accounted for 16% of the variance in the number of falls. For women, fear of falling (β(31)=0.14, p<.05) and ability to perform ADL & IADL (β(32)=1.01, p<.001) significantly contributed to the number of falls, accounting for 15% of the variance in the number of falls.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings from this study confirm the gender-based fall prediction model as comprehensive in relation to community-dwelling elders. The fall prediction model can effectively contribute to future studies in developing fall prediction and intervention programs.
Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea. yes100406@naver.com
Eun Suk
ES
Yun
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D003863:Depression / Q000473:pathology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016730:Program Development; D012737:Sex Factors; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000473:pathology
Elderly; Falls; Gender