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Observational Study
. 2022 May 5;22(1):393.
doi: 10.1186/s12877-022-03018-2.

The association between fear of falling and occurrence of falls: a one-year cohort study

Tsuyoshi Asai  1   2 , Kensuke Oshima  3 , Yoshihiro Fukumoto  4 , Yuri Yonezawa  5 , Asuka Matsuo  6 , Shogo Misu  7
Affiliations
Observational Study

The association between fear of falling and occurrence of falls: a one-year cohort study

Tsuyoshi Asai et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Abstract

Background: Both multiple fall experiences and fear of falling (FoF) would make people susceptible to another fall; however, the associations are unknown. This study investigates the association of FoF with fall occurrence among older adults according to their fall history.

Methods: In this study, we adopted a longitudinal observational design. We visited 20 community centers to recruit 1,025 older adults (aged 65 years or older). At baseline, FoF was assessed using a single-item questionnaire. The number of falls in the past year was obtained via a self-questionnaire and participants were classified into three fall history groups (0: non-faller, 1: single faller, 2 or more: multiple faller). After a year of following-up, the number of falls during the year was considered as the main outcome. Poisson regression models clarified the influence of FoF on fall occurrence during the one-year follow-up, according to the participants' fall history.

Results: The final sample comprised 530 individuals (follow-up rate: 530/801, 66.4%). Fall history, FoF, and interaction between multiple fallers and FoF were significant in the adjusted statistical model (rate ratio [95% confidence interval]: single faller = 2.81 [1.06, 6.30], multiple faller = 13.60 [8.00, 23.04], FoF = 3.70 [2.48, 5.67], multiple faller*FoF = 0.37 [0.20, 0.68]).

Conclusions: We found that FoF was associated with the occurrence of falls in community-dwelling older adults. However, its association was lower in multiple fallers.

Keywords: Community-dwelling older adults; Fall history; Fall occurrence; Fear of falling.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of study sample
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The mean of number of fall incidents during the one-year follow-up according to self-reported fall history and FoF at the baseline measurement FoF: fear of fall. Fall history groups: Based on the self-reported fall history at baseline, the participants were classified into non-fallers (number of falls: 0), single fallers (number of falls: 1), and multiple fallers (number of falls: > 2). FoF groups: Based on the assessment of fear of falling at baseline, the participants were classified into FoF and non-FoF
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