Background Cognitive frailty, a combination of physical frailty and cognitive impairment, is associated with functional decline in older adults. However, there is limited information if cognitive frailty predicts the incidence of falls, injuries, and disability. In this study, we aimed to determine the ability of cognitive frailty in predicting the incidence of falls, injuries and disability among multi-ethnic older adults in Malaysia at 5 years follow-up. Methods In this prospective cohort study, a total of 400 participants aged 60 years and above were successfully followed up at 5 years. Participants’ socio-demographic, medical history, psycho-social, physical, cognitive and dietary intake information was obtained. Cognitive frailty was defined as comorbid physical frailty (> 1 Fried criteria) and mild cognitive impairment (Petersen criteria). Univariate analysis was performed for all variables, followed by hierarchical binary logistic regression (BLR) analysis to identify the ability of CF in predicting the incidence of falls, injuries, and disability. The significant value was set at p < 0.05. Results Cognitive frailty was found to be associated with greater risk of adverse consequences after adjusting for covariates. Both cognitive frailty (Adjusted Odd ratio (Adj OR) = 2.98, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.78–4.99, p < 0.05) and physical frailty (Adj OR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.19–6.99, p < 0.05) were significant predictors of incidence of falls. Risk of injuries was also significantly increased with the presence of cognitive frailty (Adj OR = 3.06, 95% CI: 1.23–7.60, p < 0.05) and physical frailty (Adj OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.75–5.28, p < 0.05). In addition, cognitive frailty (Adj OR = 5.17, 95% CI: 1.11–24.21, p < 0.05) and physical frailty (Adj OR = 4.99, 95% CI: 1.11–22.57, p < 0.05) were shown to significantly predict the incidence of disability among older adults. Conclusion Cognitive frailty is a robust predictor of falls, injuries, and disability in older adults. Possible early multi-domain preventive and management strategies of cognitive frailty that contribute to adverse consequences are required to decrease further functional decline and promote independence in older adults.

Falls are one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in older adults. However, despite adoption of prevention strategies, the number of falls in older adults has not declined. The aim of this study was to examine fall awareness behaviour and its associated factors. A total of 140 community dwelling older adults (mean age of 70.69±4.3 years) participated in this study. Physical performance was assessed using timed up and go(TUG), gait speed(GS), chair stand and hand grip tests. Fall Awareness Behaviour (FaB) and Fall Risk Assessment Questionnaires (FRAQ) were administered to assess behaviours and fall prevention knowledge respectively. Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the practice of fall awareness behaviours (R2=.256) was significantly associated with being male [95% C.I: 2.178 to 7.789, p<.001], having lower BMI [95% C.I: -0.692 to -0.135, p<.05], living with family [95% C.I: 0.022 to 5.953, p<.05] and those having higher functional mobility [95% C.I: -2.008 to -0.164, p<.05]. Fall awareness behaviours should be emphasized among older females, those with lower functional mobility, higher BMI and living alone.

Background Falls are one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in older adults. However, despite adoption of prevention strategies, the number of falls in older adults has not declined. The aim of this study was to examine fall awareness behaviour and its associated factors among Malaysian community dwelling older adults. Methods A total of 144 community dwelling older adults (mean age of 70.69±4.3 years) participated in this study. Physical performance were assessed using timed up and go (TUG), gait speed (GS), chair stand and hand grip tests. Fall Awareness Behaviour (FaB) and Fall Risk Assessment Questionnaires (FRAQ) were administered to assess behaviour and fall prevention knowledge respectively. Results Stepwise linear regression analysis showed that the practice of fall awareness behaviour (R2=0.256) was significantly associated with being male [95% C.I: 2.178 to 7.789, p<0.001], having lower BMI [95% C.I: -0.692 to -0.135, p<0.05], living with family [95% C.I: 0.022 to 5.953, p<0.05] and those having higher functional mobility [95% C.I: -2.008 to -0.164, p<0.05]. Conclusions Fall awareness behaviour should be emphasized among older females, those with lower functional mobility, higher BMI and living alone.

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