Fall-risk assessment in elderly pilgrims attending large religious congregation: A cross-sectional cohort study

Falls are an important geriatric syndrome with tremendous economic burden. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of fall risk as assessed by digital sensor-based quantitative timed up and go (QTUG) device in elderly pilgrims attending Mahakumbh festival 2019.

An observational cross-sectional study done in elderly pilgrims attending the Kumbh Festival 2019. Combined fall risk and frailty assessment was estimated objectively using a digital sensor-based QTUG device. Details of age, body mass index (BMI), co-morbidities, and history of falls were also recorded. The association of fall and frailty assessment with gender, age, BMI, co-morbidities, and timed up and go (TUG) time was noted.

In total, 370 elderly (aged >60 years) individuals were assessed. The mean age was 65.51 ± 5.22 years. The mean BMI was 25.17 ± 4.56 kg/m2. Previous falls history was seen in 40.12%. The mean combined fall risk and combined frailty risk was 51.79 ± 18.11% and 50.12 ± 18.55%, respectively. The mean TUG time was 16.16 ± 7.46 seconds. Age, female gender, and TUG time had significantly increased combined fall-risk percentage and combined frailty estimate (p: <0.0006, <0.0001, and <0.0001, respectively) and combined frailty percentage (p < 0.0001). BMI and age also had a significant correlation with combined frailty risk (p = 0.0018).

More than 50% of elderly Indians at Kumbh 2019 had a high combined fall risk and frailty estimate. The mean TUG time of elderly in our study was 16.16 seconds. There was a strong association between increased fall risk and female gender, age, and TUG time.