Risk of falls in 85-year-olds is associated with functional and cognitive status: the Octabaix Study

Falls are a source of morbidity and mortality in the oldest old. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of falls among community-dwelling 85-year-olds and to study the factors associated with falling. A cross-sectional study, including geriatric assessment, was conducted within the framework of the Octabaix Study. Functional status was measured with Barthel Index (BI) and Lawton Index (LI), cognitive impairment was assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Spanish version of which is called MEC, Comorbidity by Charlson Index (CCI), and data were gathered on nutritional risk, social risk, falls, and drugs. The fall prevalence among the 328 octogenarians studied was 28.4%. A bivariate analysis revealed an association with being female (p=0.017) and poorer functional status according to BI (p=0.027). Logistic analysis showed an association with female gender (OR=1.96; 95%CI=1.15-3.33; p=0.014), BI (OR=0.98; 95%CI=0.97-0.99; p=0.007) and MEC (OR=1.05; 95%CI=1.01-1.09; p=0.027). The prevalence of falls among 85-year-olds is high and similar to that described in those aged 65 or over. The analyses show that being female, a degree of disability and a good score on cognitive status were independent risk factors for falls among these community-dwelling.