Results support the applicability of BBS-9 in assessing functional balance among the aged with quite good physical function. However, more studies are needed to verify applicability to other samples and to assess cut-off scores for BBS-9, to predict the likelihood of falling.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (OH) and the association of OH with the risk of falls among community-dwelling older adults with a previous fall. Design: Longitudinal study. Setting and Participants: The subjects (n ¼ 561) were participants in fall prevention conducted in western Finland. Methods: Blood pressure (BP) was measured in supine position and at 30 seconds and 3 minutes after standing. The participants were divided according to the consensus definition to an OH group (OHG) and a non-OH group (non-OHG). Falls were recorded by fall diaries during 12 months. Falls requiring treatment were gathered from health center and hospital registers during 12 and 36 months. Results: The prevalence of OH was 23.4% (30 seconds) and 7.3% (3 minutes). The 30-second measurement showed that the incidence of falls and that of falls requiring treatment were significantly higher in OHG compared with non-OHG during 12 months. After adjustments, the incidence of falls remained higher in all 5 adjusted models whereas that of falls requiring treatment remained higher only after adjustment for functional balance. The 3-minute measurement showed that the incidence of falls was higher in OHG compared with non-OHG during 12 months and remained higher after adjustments for functional balance and for age and functional balance. During the 36-month follow-up, OH measured at 30 seconds or 3 minutes after standing was not associated with the occurrence of falls leading to treatment. Conclusions and Implications: OH at 30 seconds or 3 minutes after standing is associated with a greater risk for falling within 12 months in older adults. The 30-second blood pressure measurement is more reliable to detect the risk than the 3-minute measurement. The results support the usability of 30-second measurement in determining OH and the risk for falling among older persons.

BBS-9 with the cut-off score of 32/33 together with data on vision and the number of regularly used drugs predicted moderately the risk of falling among the community-dwelling aged.