title: Risk factors for single and recurrent falls: a prospective study of falls in community dwelling seniors without cognitive impairment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to contribute evidence towards heterogeneity in risk factors for single and recurrent falls.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a prospective study conducted in Taiwan. Participants were randomly selected from the examinees of the annual health examination in 2010. Participants were interviewed with a detailed questionnaire and followed up one year later. Predictor variables included socio-demographic characteristics, medical conditions, laboratory data, and risk factors for osteoporosis. The outcome was falls in the ensuing 12 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the 653 completers was 75.6 ± 6.4. Half (48.7%) were women. Fallers and recurrent fallers comprised 14.5% and 6.0% of the participants, respectively. Blurred vision (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.93, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-3.67), minimal outdoor activities (aOR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.06-4.88), and overactive thyroid/parathyroid (aOR: 3.49, 95% CI: 1.29-9.50) were associated with single falls. Frailty (aOR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.11-7.09), decreased body height (aOR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.52-6.54) and taking sedatives/hypnotics (aOR: 4.23, 95% CI: 2.06-8.67) were associated with recurrent falls. Previous falls (aOR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.44-4.84 for single falls; aOR: 5.26, 95% CI: 2.61-10.60 for recurrent falls) were associated with all falls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different intervention strategies should be developed for single and recurrent fallers.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine and Department of Public Health, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, 5F, No. 17, Hsu-Chow Rd., Taipei City 100, Taiwan; Department of Family Medicine, Renai Branch, Taipei City Hospital, 10F, No. 10, Sec. 4, Ren-Ai Rd., Taipei City 106, Taiwan. Electronic address: f96846008@ntu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Tai-Yin
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Wei-Chu
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chie
authors.forename: Rong-Sen
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Kuan-Liang
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Wai-Kuen
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Chen-Kun
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Liaw
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013624:Taiwan
keywords: Aged; Falls; Risk factors