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Physical performance and quality of life in single and recurrent fallers: Data from the I mproving M edication P rescribing to R educe R isk of F alls study
Author(s) -
Boyé Nicole DA,
MattaceRaso Francesco US,
Van Lieshout Esther MM,
Hartholt Klaas A,
Van Beeck Ed F,
Van der Cammen Tischa JM
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
geriatrics and gerontology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1447-0594
pISSN - 1444-1586
DOI - 10.1111/ggi.12287
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , test (biology) , activities of daily living , physical activity , gerontology , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , paleontology , nursing , biology
Aim Although guidelines regarding falls prevention make a clear distinction between single and recurrent fallers, differences in functional status, physical performance, and quality of life in single and recurrent fallers have not been thoroughly investigated. Therefore, we investigated the differences in functional status, physical performance and health‐related quality of life ( HRQoL ) between single and recurrent fallers. Methods From O ctober 2008 to O ctober 2011, 616 community‐dwelling older adults who visited the emergency department as a result of a fall were enrolled. Physical performance was assessed with the Timed U p & G o ( TUG ) test, the F ive T imes S it to S tand ( FTSS ) test, handgrip strength and the tandem stand test. Functional status was measured using the activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living scales. HRQoL was measured using the E uropean Q uality of L ife five dimensions ( EQ ‐5 D) , and the S hort F orm‐12 version 2. A general linear model was used to compare the means of the scores. Results Recurrent falls in community‐dwelling older adults were associated with poorer physical performance as measured by the TUG test ( P < 0.001), FTSS test ( P = 0.011), handgrip strength ( P < 0.001) and tandem stand ( P < 0.001), and lower HRQoL scores as measured by the EQ ‐5 D ( P = 0.006) and SF ‐12 ( P = 0.006 and P = 0.012). Conclusion The present findings provide further evidence that recurrent fallers have poorer physical performance and quality of life than single fallers. Recurrent falls might be a symptom of underlying disease and frailty, and reason for further assessment. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2015; 15: 350–355.