The Complex Association Between Fear of Falling and Mobility Limitation in Relation to Late-Life Falls: A SHARE-Based Analysis

Abstract

Objectives: This study looks at fear of falling (FOF) as a predictor of falls in light of mobility limitation and other confounders. Methods: Data on community dwelling older Europeans, aged 65 and older, were drawn from two consecutive waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). The analysis regressed fall status in 2013 on reported FOF two to three years earlier, controlling for previous falls. Results: FOF predicted subsequent falls when mobility limitation was low to moderate. However, the effect of FOF on fall probability was reversed when mobility limitation was at a high level. Discussion: The analysis underscores a complex association between FOF and mobility limitation in relation to late-life falls. People who are worried about falling tend to fall more than those who are not similarly worried. However, also more likely to fall are those who have a high level of mobility limitation but lack FOF. In the case of considerable mobility limitation, FOF may act as a protective buffer. The less worried in this group, however, may be subject to greater falling, and thus require greater attention.

Falls among Brazilian older adults living in urban areas

“…Different risk factors for the occurrence of falls in older adults may act alone or in association with other factors. Studies associations of falls with female gender 2 , 4 , 6 , 7 , advanced age 4 - 6 , 10 , marital status (divorced), living alone 2 , 11 , fear of falls 12 , 13 , poor rated health 10 , 14 , depression 15 , use of medication on regular basis 10 , chronic diseases 4 , worse vision or hearing 16 , 17 , among other health problems, and inadequate environmental factors 8 .…”

Mobility impact and well-being in later life: A multidisciplinary systematic review

“…In terms of sample size, more than half of the studies has considered samples with at most 1000 participants ( Table 3 ). Interestingly, three recent studies in health sciences are based on more than 20,000 observations, as they rely on large longitudinal datasets such as the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) database ( Litwin et al, 2018 ; Litwin & Levinson, 2018 ) and the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging ( Demnitz et al, 2018 ), containing micro-data on health status of older adults.…”

“… OUTCOME VARIABLES DISCIPLINE MOBILITY MEASURE(s) AUTHOR(s) Clinical Medicine LSA test ( Baker et al, 2003 ) (−) Lo et al (2016) Self-reported information – Perceived difficulty and task modification in advanced mobility regarding the 2-km walk (−) Manty et al (2012) Self- reported information - Questions on difficulties with walking or climbing stairs (−) Musich et al (2018) Self-reported information – Reported grade of difficulty (no difficulty vs some difficulty, moderate difficulty, severe difficulty) getting about outdoors (−) Jefferis et al (2015) Falls TUG test and Mobility Scores (Gait Composite Score, Balance Composite Score, Physical Capacity Score) (n) Langeard et al (2019) N = 19.3% TUG test (−) Dai et al (2012) (11/57) Public Health & Health Services TUG test, DGI, SPPB and CB&M (−) Balasubramanian et al (2015) TUG test (n) Mulasso et al (2016) Composite scores of individual mobility variables such as quiet standing, maximal lean, sit-to-stand, gait, turn, step-in-tub and downstairs (−) Panzer et al (2011) TUG test, Timed Chair Stand test, Functional Reach test, One-Leg Balance test, and lower limb muscle strength (−) Topuz et al (2014) Self-reported information - List of 10 difficulties such as getting up from a chair after sitting for long periods, climbing one flight of stairs without resting, and stooping, kneeling, or crouching, etc. (−) Litwin et al (2018) Clinical Medicine …”

Complications in Elderly After Proximal Femoral Fracture: An Integrating Review

“…As complicações de maior impacto para a vida do idoso após FFP na sua grande maioria dos casos são ocasionadas por quedas posteriores. Assim, medidas preventivas que evitem suas consequências necessitam ser adotadas para que sua ocorrência seja reduzida (Litwin et al, 2018). A prática de exercícios físicos regulares pós-operatória de FFP é defendida por vários autores com objetivo de melhorar a autonomia deste paciente, melhorando sua postura e o equilíbrio corporal, melhora da marcha, além da promoção do fortalecimento e aumentar a massa muscular desses indivíduos (Camões et al, 2016).…”