Descriptive analysis of community dwelling elderly individuals with low falls risk: Utilization of the Steadi Toolkit from the Center for disease control & prevention (CDC)

Abstract

The study objectives were: to investigate the fall risk and physical performance of community dwelling elderly individuals with low falls risk using the CDC's STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, & Injuries) toolkit: STEADI screening measure and recommended Clinical Observation Assessments (COA); and,to describe the multi-morbidity burden and physical function of such individuals. In a retrospective study at a PMR clinic 17 elderly community-dwelling subjects (age range 60–79 years old) participated. The outcome measures were: the patient-reported STEADI measure assessed falls risk factors (low fall risk defined as STEADI score <4). The COAs consisted of the Timed-Up-and Go (TUG) and 30-Second Chair Stand Test (CST). The Self-Administered Co-Morbidity Questionnaire (SCQ) described the multi-morbidity burden, and the PROMIS-57 v1.0-Physical Function (PROMIS-PF) quantified the activity limitation. Data met normality assumptions. Mean differences were examined among variables using ANOVA with age as a covariate; age did not differ significantly among participants. Descriptive statistics and significant tests are provided for each variable. No variables demonstrated a gender effect (perhaps because of small n for females). A Pearson Correlation analysis (p ≤ .05) among variables was also conducted. The mean (SD) scores were as follows: STEADI 0.944 (1.21); TUG 16.0 (6.79); CST 10.07 (2.73); SCQ 6.47 (3.28); and, PROMIS-PF 41.48 (9.15). No significant correlations were found, specifically the STEADI score did not correlate with COA, SCQ, and PROMIS-PF. Community dwelling elderly individuals with low falls risk tend to have low multi-morbidity burden, mild activity limitation, slow gait speed, and fair lower extremity power–independent of age and gender factors. The study showed the limited use of CDC-recommended COAs in individuals with low falls risk. Future studies should address the appropriate performance-based assessments (PBA) in these individuals with low falls risk as categorized by the CDC's STEADI measure and contrast these PBA with those current CDC-recommended COAs.