낙상 경험이 있는 지역사회 거주 노인의 반복 낙상 위험 요인

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to identify risk factors for recurrent falls among community-dwelling older adults who had experienced a fall in the past year. Methods This study performed secondary analysis using data from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. Data from 650 community-dwelling older adults with one or more fall experiences in the past year were utilized. To identify risk factors for recurrent falls, a multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted including general characteristics, health-related characteristics, and reasons for falls. Results The distribution of participants according to the number of falls in the past year was 435 (66.9%) people who had fallen once, 156 (24.0%) people who had fallen twice, and 59 (9.1%) people who had fallen three or more times. In the multinomial logistic regression analysis, the categorical number of falls (1, 2, and 3 or more) were considered as dependent variables, and the category of “1” was determined as the reference group. The findings of the analysis revealed that failure to perform a five-time-sit-to-stand test and depression were risk factors for the group that experienced falls twice. In addition, depression and physical reasons for falling were found to be risk factors in the group that experienced falls three or more times. Conclusions This study suggested that risk factors for recurrent falls among community-dwelling older adults comprehensively. Health care providers who provide screening and intervention to prevent recurrent falls need to consider mental problems such as depression along with the participants' balance disorder and physical problems.