Association between geriatric characteristics and falls in older patients with overweight and obesity

Abstract

Objectives: To assess geriatric characteristics and associations with falls among older people with overweight and obesity. Subjects and Methods: A cross- sectional study on 233 older patients with overweight and obesity examined and treated at National Geriatric Hospital from January to May 2023. Falls in the last 12 months and geriatric characteristics were collected by interviewing using a questionnaire. Results: Of the total 233 participants, the proportion of patients with falls in the last 12 months was 16.7%. The majority of study participants had 2 or more diseases, accounting for 94%. Prevalence of polypharmacy was 63.1%. The rate of ADL impairment was 17.6% and IADL impairment was 16.7%. There was 75.5% of study participants had a high likelihood of depression. The majority of study participants rated quality of life at a high and very high level. There is a statistically significant difference in the rate of falls in the last 12 months between the dependent group and the non-dependent group in activities daily living ADL and IADL (p<0.05). Conclusion: Multi- comorbidities, polypharmacy and depression are the common geriatric syndromes in overweight and obese elderly people. Fall in the past 12 months associated with activities daily living ADL and IADL.