Incidence and related clinical factors of falls among older Chinese veterans in military communities: a prospective study.
[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine fall incidence and explore clinical factors of falls among older Chinese veterans in military communities. [Subjects and Methods] We carried out a 12-month prospective study among 13 military communities in Beijing, China. Fall events were obtained by self-report to military community liaisons and monthly telephone interviews by researchers. [Results] Among the final sample of 447 older veterans, 86 fell once, 25 fell twice or more, and 152 falls occurred altogether. The incidence of falls and fallers were 342/1,000 person-years and 249/1,000 person-years. In Cox regression models, independent clinical factors associated with falls were visual acuity (RR=0.47), stroke (RR=2.43), lumbar diseases (RR=1.73), sedatives (RR=1.80), fall history in the past 6 months (RR=2.77), multiple chronic diseases (RR=1.53), multiple medications (RR=1.34), and five-repetition sit-to-stand test score (RR=1.41). Hearing acuity was close to being statistically significant. [Conclusion] The incidences of falls and fallers among older Chinese veterans were lower than those of Hong Kong and western countries. The clinical risk factors of falls were poor senses, stroke, lumbar diseases, taking sedatives, fall history in the past 6 months, having multiple chronic diseases, taking multiple medications, and poor physical function. The preventive strategies targeting the above risk factors are very significant for reducing falls.
Chinese PLA (The Chinese People's Liberation Army) Medical School, China ; Geriatric Institute, The General Hospital of Air Force, PLA, China.
Wei
W
Xu
Geriatric Institute, The General Hospital of Air Force, PLA, China.
Da-Wei
DW
Chen
Geriatric Institute, The General Hospital of Air Force, PLA, China.
Yan-Bin
YB
Jin
Shuguang Clinic Department of Rest Home for Retired Veterans, The PLA Air Force Beijing, China.
Zhen-Jun
ZJ
Dong
Xijiao Clinic Department of Rest Home for Retired Veterans, The PLA Air Force Beijing, China.
Wei-Jiang
WJ
Zhang
Geriatric Institute, The General Hospital of Air Force, PLA, China.
Jin-Wen
JW
Chen
Geriatric Institute, The General Hospital of Air Force, PLA, China.
Shu-Mei
SM
Yang
Department of Nursing, The General Hospital of PLA, China.
Jian-Rong
JR
Wang
Clinical factors; Falls; Incidence