To determine the annual incidence of fall-related injuries among community-dwelling elderly people with dementia and to identify the factors predicting those likely to sustain such injuries, we conducted a cohort study with a one-year follow-up. As predicting factors, we paid particular attention to behavioural problems and difficulties in helping with activities of daily living based on the Assessment of Basic Care for the Demented (ABCD) scale. Thirty-five of 86 final study subjects and nine of 98 final control subjects sustained fall-related injuries. Significant factors associated with fall-related injuries to demented elderly subjects were ABCD score (adjusted odds ratio 0.73, 95% confidence interval 0.60-0.89), history of falls in the past year (3.65, 1.34-9.95), and Barthel index score (1.04, 1.00-1.08). This highlights the predictive value of better physical function but more difficult care status in relation to ADL for fall-related injuries.

Subjects were 74 twin pairs, 61 MZs and 13 same-sexed DZs who entered the High School affiliated with Tokyo University, Japan. Their mothers also participated. The twins’ zygosity was previously identified by many genetic markers. This study aimed at clarifying the effectiveness of zygosity diagnosis by questionnaires distributed to twins’ mothers. The questionnaire consisted of three questions concerning the degree of similarity of twins at one year of age; whether they were confused, and if so, by whom. It was slightly modified from that reported earlier by Ooki et al [11] for twins themselves. According to the degree of similarity of the twins, points were allotted thus: from 1 to 3 points for answers to questions (1) and (2) and from 1 to 4 points for answers to questions (3). The sum of the points was calculated, then ranged from 3 to 10. Zygosity was determined by the sum of these points. If the sum was 3-6, the twin pairs were considered MZ and if the sum was 7-10 DZ. It was revealed that more than 90% of twins were identified correctly as MZ or DZ by applying this cutting point and this result was in accordance with that obtained by use of discriminant function analysis. Moreover, the accuracy of the mothers’ responses was nearly the same as that obtained by the questionnaire for twins themselves. It was concluded, therefore, that the information from twins’ mothers is as correct as that from twins themselves. This questionnaire is simple, practical and especially useful when twins are still too young to participate personally.

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Abstract. Subjects were 189 twin pairs, 165 MZ and 24 same-sexed DZ, who entered the junior high school affiliated to Tokyo University (sample T), and 93 twin pairs, 71 MZ and 22 same-sexed DZ, who were registered at Kinki University (sample K). The zygosity was previously identified by many genetic markers, and this study aimed at zygosity diagnosis by questionnaire. The latter included three questions: "How are you alike?", "How often are you mistaken?", and "By whom are you mistaken?". According to the degree, 1-3 points, 1-3 points, and 1-4 points were given for each question, and the sum of the points of each pair of twins was calculated. Zygosity was determined by the sum of points, distributed from 6 to 20. Namely, if the sum was 6-13, the twin pair was considered MZ, and if the sum was 14-20, DZ. More than 90% of twins were diagnosed correctly by use of this cutting point. This result was in accordance with that obtained by use of discriminant function analysis. It is concluded that zygosity diagnosis by questionnaire is convenient and useful, in particular for epidemiological research.

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