Risk factors for falls in Iranian older adults: a case-control study

Falls are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Identifying potential risk factors would provide a considerable public health benefit. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the risk factors for falling among Iranian older adults. Two hundred eighty community-dwelling elders, with and without a history of falls, participated in the study. Elders aged 60 or over referred to retirement centres completed a multi-section questionnaire on demographic information, behavioural, environmental, and medical factors of fall from May to September 2018. Data analysis was performed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression using the Stata version 14 software. Sedentary activity level (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.85, 3.23), hearing loss (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.83), vertigo or dizziness (OR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.02, 4.91) and visual impairment (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.67) were important predictors of falls. No significant associations were observed between falls with demographic factors and medication. This study indicates several modifiable risk factors may be associated with falls that affect the health of older adults. Appropriate interventions are necessary to reduce modifiable risk factors of falls of high-risk elders.