Factors Associated with the Risk of Falls of Nursing Home Residents Aged 80 or Older

Abstract

Background: Falls are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in older and represents one of the major and most costly public health problems worldwide. Purpose: Evaluate the influences of lower limb muscle performance, static balance, functional independence and quality of life on fall risk as assessed with the Timed Up and Go test. Design: Crosssectional. Methods: Fifty-two residents aged 80 or older were assessed and distributed in one of the two study groups according to the time to complete the Timed Up and Go Test. A Kistler force platform and linear transducer was used to determinate lower limb muscle performance. Postural Stability was measured by recording the center of pressure. The EuroQol-5 dimension was used to assess Health-Related Quality of Life and the Barthel Index was used to examine functional status. Student t-test was performed to evaluate the differences between groups. Correlations between variables were analyzed using Spearman or Pearson coefficient. ROC analysis was used to determine the cut-off points related to a decrease in the risk of a fall. Findings: Participants of no-fall risk group showed better lower limb performance, quality of life, and functional status. Cut-off points were determined for each outcome. Conclusions: Risk of falls in nursing home residents over the age of 80 is associated with lower limb muscle performance, functional status and quality of Life. Clinical Relevance: Cut-off points can be used by clinicians when working toward fall prevention and could help in determining the optimal lower limb muscle performance level for preventing falls.