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Validation of a fall-risk screening test, the Elderly Fall Screening Test (EFST), for community-dwelling elderly
J G Cwikel1, A V Fried, A Biderman
1Department of Social Work, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba, Israel.
Disability and Rehabilitation
|June 11, 1998
Summary
The Elderly Fall Screening Test (EFST) accurately identifies older adults at high risk for falls. This validated tool aids in community prevention programs for functionally independent seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Preventive Medicine
Background:
- Falls represent a significant cause of injury and morbidity in the elderly population.
- Effective screening tools are crucial for identifying at-risk individuals and implementing preventive measures.
- The Elderly Fall Screening Test (EFST) was developed to assess fall risk in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the Elderly Fall Screening Test (EFST) for use in community-based settings.
- To assess the criterion and predictive validity of the EFST in functionally independent elderly individuals.
Main Methods:
- A community-based study involving 568 functionally independent elderly individuals (≥60 years).
- The five-item EFST was administered to categorize participants into low- and high-risk groups.
- Concurrent validity was assessed via physician examinations; predictive validity used follow-up interviews on fall history and health outcomes.
Main Results:
- 28% of participants were identified as high-risk based on EFST scores (≥2 risk items).
- Physician examinations corroborated EFST results in 75% of cases, with 83% sensitivity and 69% specificity.
- High-risk individuals reported more falls, near falls, injurious falls, hospitalizations, sick days, poorer self-rated health, and depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- The EFST demonstrates both criterion and predictive validity in functionally independent elderly individuals.
- The EFST is a valuable tool for identifying older adults at risk of falls.
- It can be effectively integrated into community-based fall prevention programs.
