Falls and depression in octogenarians - life and living in advanced age: a cohort study in New Zealand

INTRODUCTION Falls and injury have the most devastating consequences for very old people. Depression may be a significant cause and consequence of falls. AIM To examine the association between falls and depression in octogenarians. METHODS LiLACS NZ (Life and Living in Advanced Age: A Cohort Study in New Zealand), cohort study data of Māori (aged 80-90 years, 11-year age band) and non-Māori (aged 85 years, 1-year age band) followed for 3 years was used to describe the incidence and prevalence of falls and depression. Falls by self-report were accumulated over 3 years. Geriatric depression score (GDS) was ascertained at baseline. RESULTS Over 3 years, fewer Māori (47%) than non-Māori (57%) fell; 19% of non-Māori and 20% of Māori scored 5+ (depressed) on the GDS. For non-Māori and Māori, people with depression were more likely to fall than Māori not diagnosed with depression (OR 2.72, CI 1.65-4.48 for non-Māori and OR 2.01, CI 1.25-3.25 for Māori). This remained significant, adjusted for age and sex. Depression was a significant predictor of hospitalisations from falls for Māori (OR 5.59, CI 2.4-12.72, adjusted for age and sex) and non-Māori (OR 4.21, 2.3-7.44, adjusted for sex). CONCLUSION Depression and falls are common and co-exist in octogenarians. GPs thinking about falls should also think about depression and vice versa.