Fall-related factors in older adults by frailty status: A cross-sectional study

This descriptive study aimed to identify the factors associated with falls in older adults according to frailty status.

Data from 9,955 older adults in the 2023 National Survey of Older Koreans were analyzed. Differences in demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related behaviors by frailty status were evaluated using the Rao-Scott X2 test. A complex-sample general linear model was used to evaluate the frequency of falls. Complex-sample multiple logistic regression analyses were performed with falls as the dependent variable to examine their associations with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living limitation, cognitive impairment, and depression according to frailty status, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related factors.

The number of falls was 1.40±0.08 in the robust group, 1.89±0.10 in the prefrail group, and 2.88±0.43 in the frail group. Instrumental Activities of Daily Living limitation was significantly associated with fall experience only in the prefrail group. Depression was identified as a significant fall-related factor including the robust, prefrail, and frail groups.

Higher frailty levels were associated with an increased number of falls, suggesting that frailty management should be included in fall prevention strategies. Different fall prevention interventions based on frailty status are needed. Therefore, screening for depression should be included in fall prevention programs for older adults.