Incidence and risk factors of falls in older people with chronic comorbidities in community: a cross-sectional study

To investigate the prevalence of falls among older adult individuals with comorbidities in community and to analyze the risk factors.

Using multi-stage stratified random sampling method, a total of 886 older people aged over 60 years with comorbidities were selected from 10 communities as research subjects between April 2022 and December 2023. Data collection involved the use of a general information questionnaire, frail scale, self-rating anxiety scale, fall risk self-rating scale, standing up and walking timing test, and Berg Balance Scale. The patients were categorized into two groups based on fall occurrence, and χ² test and logistic regression analysis were employed to identify the risk factors for falls.

The incidence of falls was 24.8% (220/886). The logistic regression analysis indicated that factors such as frailty, visual impairments, anxiety, fall risk score, physical exercise, social support, category of residence, and social interaction (OR = 0.535, 1.826, 4.284, 5.584, 1.965, 1.649, 2.308, 1.806; all p < 0.05) were significantly associated with falls in older people with comorbidities.

The incidence of falls is higher among older people with comorbidities in the community, it is essential to prioritize older people with comorbidities who have limited daily social activities, insufficient social support, visual impairments, high fall risk scores, and impaired sit-stand and walking tests in order to prevent falls and promote healthy aging.