Concern About Falling Is a Predictor of Fall Risk in Older Patients With Cardiovascular Disease　- A 1-Year...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are at increased risk of falls.
• Identifying fall risk indicators is crucial for preventing falls in this population.
• Multidimensional assessments can provide comprehensive insights into fall risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify fall risk indicators in older patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• To assess the association between multidimensional factors and future falls.
• To determine the predictive value of the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) for falls.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 129 patients aged ≥65 years with CVD.
• 1-year follow-up to classify participants into fall and non-fall groups.
• Assessment of physical frailty, blood pressure, polypharmacy, and FES-I scores.

Main Results:

• Overall 1-year fall incidence was 17.0%.
• The fall group was older, with lower physical function and blood pressure, and higher FES-I scores.
• A FES-I score ≥28 was a significant predictor of falls (adjusted OR 2.964, P=0.042).

Conclusions:

• Fall incidence in older adults with CVD is comparable to community-dwelling populations.
• Higher concern about falling (FES-I score) is significantly associated with future falls.
• FES-I is a valuable tool for identifying fall risk in older adults with CVD.