Factors Associated With Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Osteoarthritis: A Sex Subgroup Analysis

Osteoarthritis elevates the risk of falling among older adults due to joint pain and stiffness, especially among women, yet sex influences in these associations remain understudied. This study investigated factors associated with falls by sex. A sample of community-dwelling older adults with osteoarthritis from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (2624 females; 1271 males) was analyzed using survey-weighted logistic regression, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics such as geographic residence and health-related issues. For women with osteoarthritis, higher risk of falling was associated with being White compared to Black, living in rural areas compared to urban areas, in addition to opioid use. Among men with osteoarthritis, having heart problems and better distal vision increased the risk of falling. Sex-specific fall prevention strategies, such as rural programs, opioid education for women, and increasing awareness and fall education for men with heart problems, are encouraged to promote active living among older adults with osteoarthritis.