Risk Factors for Falls Among Older Adults with Diabetes in the Community: A Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Diabetology
• Public Health

Background:

• Older adults with diabetes exhibit a higher incidence of falls compared to the general elderly population.
• Falls in this demographic can lead to severe or fatal injuries, necessitating a focus on fall risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific risk factors associated with the frequency of falls among older adults diagnosed with diabetes in Korea.
• To analyze predictors of fall occurrence and potential fall risk in this vulnerable population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing secondary data from the 2023 Korea Community Health Survey.
• Inclusion criteria: individuals aged 65+, diagnosed with diabetes, and complete data.
• Statistical analysis employed a zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) regression model.

Main Results:

• Approximately 22.8% of participants reported experiencing falls.
• Identified risk factors for falls included: age 80+, insufficient stretching, major depressive disorder, and stress.
• Logistic regression revealed female sex, major depressive disorder, stress, and insulin use as significant predictors in the potential risk group.

Conclusions:

• This study offers a comprehensive understanding of predictive factors influencing both the occurrence and potential risk of falls in older Korean adults with diabetes.
• Findings underscore the importance of community nursing interventions tailored to prevent falls in this population.