title: Risk factors for falls in a longitudinal cohort study of Saudi postmenopausal women: the Center of Excellence for Osteoporosis Research Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to identify possible risk factors for falls among Saudi postmenopausal women in a population-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven hundred seven postmenopausal women aged 50 years or older were followed in a prospective cohort study. Participant demographic characteristics, medical history, lifestyle factors, past-year history of falls, and physical activity (PA) scores were assessed. We recorded single and multiple falls, anthropometric parameters, five special physical performance tests, hormone levels, and bone mineral density measurements. Data on knee osteoarthritis (OA), lumbar spondylosis, and osteopenia were collected. Knee and lower back pain were assessed by interview, and cognition was assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the mean (SD) follow-up of 5.2 (1.3) years, 164 women (23.2%) reported at least one fall, of whom 73 women (10.3%) reported multiple falls. Six independent predictors of all falls were identified: PA score of 12.61 or lower (lowest quartile; odds ratio [OR], 4.10; 95% CI, 1.82-8.90); past-year history of falls (OR, 2.44; 95% CI, 2.30-2.90); age 65 years or older (OR, 2.16; 95% CI,1.30-3.12); presence of knee OA (OR, 1.56; 95% CI,1.03-2.34); handgrip strength of 13.88 kg or lower (lowest quartile; OR, 1.33; 95% CI,1.09-1.64); and 8-ft walk test of 3.94 s or longer (highest quartile; OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.35).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Poor PA score, past-year history of falls, age 65 years or older, presence of knee OA, poor handgrip strength, and prolonged time on the 8-ft walk test are risk factors for all falls among Saudi postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: 1Center of Excellence for Osteoporosis Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 3Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 4Department of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 5Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 6Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (Jeddah Branch), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdulrahim A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rouzi
authors.forename: Mohammed-Salleh M
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ardawi
authors.forename: Mohammed H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Qari
authors.forename: Talal M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Bahksh
authors.forename: Rajaa M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Raddadi
authors.forename: Ahmed Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Mona M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Jalal
authors.forename: Amal A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Taha
authors.forename: Heba S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kary
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016387:Women's Health