title: Rates and factors associated with falls in older European Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, African-Americans, and Hispanics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate rates and factors associated with older adult falls in different ethnic groups.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information on demographics, medical and falls history, and pain and physical activity levels was collected from 550 community-dwelling older adults (75±9 years old, 222 European Americans, 109 Afro-Caribbeans, 106 African-Americans, and 113 Hispanics).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Taking medications for anxiety (risk ratio [RR] =1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.1-2.0), having incontinence (RR =1.4, 95% CI =1.1-1.8, P=0.013), back pain (RR =1.4, 95% CI =1.0-1.8), feet swelling (RR =1.3, 95% CI =1.1-1.7), and age ≥75 years (RR =1.3, 95% CI =1.0-1.6) were associated with falls. The associations were stronger for Afro-Caribbeans, but they presented approximately 40% lower prevalence of falls than the other groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taking anxiety medication, incontinence, back pain, feet swelling, and age ≥75 years were associated with falls, and Afro-Caribbeans presented lower prevalence of falls. These findings need to be taken into consideration in clinical interventions in aging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Edgar Ramos
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Vieira
authors.affiliation: Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tappen
authors.affiliation: Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Engstrom
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Bruno R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: da Costa
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017691:Caribbean Region; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: community dwelling; ethnicity; falls; older adults; risks