Risk factors for falls in community-dwelling older people with mild cognitive impairment: a prospective one-year study

PeerJ

article

Thanwarat Chantanachai¹  Morag E. Taylor¹  Stephen R. Lord¹  Jasmine Menant¹  Kim Delbaere¹  Perminder S. Sachdev⁵  Nicole A. Kochan⁶  Henry Brodaty⁶  Daina L. Sturnieks¹ 

[1]Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre, Neuroscience Research Australia

[2]School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales

[3]Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales

[4]School of Population Health, University of New South Wales

[5]Neuropsychiatric Institute, Prince of Wales Hospital

[6]Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing ,(CHeBA), Discipline of Psychiatry and Mental Health

关键词: Accidental falls;    Aged;    Cognitive dysfunction;    Postural balance;    Psychotropic drugs;    Vision disorders;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.13484

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Objective Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered an intermediate stage between normal cognitive function and dementia. Fall risk is increased in this group, but there is limited literature exploring specific fall risk factors that may be addressed in fall prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to examine risk factors for falls in older people with MCI, focusing on cognitive, psychological and physical factors. Methods Participants (n = 266, 45% women) were community-dwelling older people aged 70–90 years who met the criteria for MCI. Cognitive, psychological, sensorimotor and physical assessments, physical activity levels, medication use, general health and disability were ascertained at baseline. Falls were monitored prospectively for 12 months. Results During follow-up, 106 (40%) participants reported one or more falls. Poorer visual contrast sensitivity, increased postural sway, lower levels of weekly walking activity, higher levels of depressive symptoms and psychotropic medication use were significantly associated with faller status (≥1 falls) in univariable analyses. Of these factors, poor visual contrast sensitivity, increased postural sway and psychotropic medication use were found to be significant independent predictors of falls in multivariable analysis while controlling for age and sex. No measures of cognitive function were associated with falls. Conclusions Poor visual contrast sensitivity, impaired balance and psychotropic medication use predicted falls in community-dwelling people with MCI. These risk factors may be amenable to intervention, so these factors could be carefully considered in fall prevention programs for this population.

【 授权许可】

CC BY