Sex Differences in the Circumstances Leading to Falls: Evidence From Real-Life Falls Captured on Video in Long-Term Care

Yijian Yang; Kimberley S van Schooten; Joanie Sims-Gould; Heather A McKay; Fabio Feldman; Stephen N Robinovitch

doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2017.08.011

Sex Differences in the Circumstances Leading to Falls: Evidence From Real-Life Falls Captured on Video in Long-Term Care

J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2018 Feb;19(2):130-135.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2017.08.011. Epub 2017 Sep 28.

Authors

Yijian Yang¹, Kimberley S van Schooten², Joanie Sims-Gould³, Heather A McKay³, Fabio Feldman⁴, Stephen N Robinovitch⁵

Affiliations

¹ Center for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: yyang@mail.ubc.ca.
² Center for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
³ Center for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
⁴ Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; Patient Safety and Injury Prevention, Fraser Health Authority, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
⁵ Center for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Department of Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada; School of Engineering Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.

PMID: 28967601
DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2017.08.011

Abstract

Objectives: Falls are a major health concern for older adults. Understanding sex differences in fall circumstances may guide the design of fall management plans specifically to men and women. In this study, analyzed real-life falls captured on video to compare scenarios leading to falls between men and women in 2 long-term care (LTC) facilities.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Participants/setting: A total of 529 participants residing in 2 LTC facilities in British Columbia, Canada.

Measurements: Between 2008 and 2016, we video-captured 1738 falls experienced by 231 men and 298 women (mean age = 83 ± 9 years). Each video was analyzed to determine the causes of imbalance and the activities at time of falling. Using generalized estimating equation models, we examined how fall circumstances associated with age, sex, and health status.

Results: Men were more likely than women to fall from loss of support with an external object (odds ratio 1.37; 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.73) and less likely to fall from tripping (0.72; 0.54-0.96). Men were more likely to fall while seated (1.42; 1.07-1.87) or while rising (1.49; 1.11-1.99), and less likely to fall while walking (0.61; 0.50-0.75). After adjusting for age and health status, sex remained significantly associated with loss of support and walking. Furthermore, regardless of sex, falls from loss of support were more common among individuals who were less independent in activities of daily living, who used more medications, and who used diuretic. Individuals with independent activities of daily living and intact cognition were more likely to fall while walking, but less likely to fall while seated or while rising.

Conclusions: Our results elucidate differences between older men and women in the scenarios that lead to falls, to inform sex-specific fall prevention strategies in the LTC setting.

Keywords: Long-term care; accidental falls; circumstances of falls; health status; older adults; sex.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data*
Aged, 80 and over
British Columbia
Female
Humans
Long-Term Care*
Male
Sex Factors
Video Recording