Understanding the Association of Older Adult Fall Risk Factors by Age and Sex Through Factor Analysis

Abstract

Our aim was to identify latent factors underlying multiple observed risk factors for older adult falls and to examine their effects on falls by age and sex. We performed exploratory factor analysis on 13 risk factors in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We used log-linear regression models to measure the association between the identified factors and older adults reporting falls. We identified two underlying factors: physical and mental health limitations. These shared a 50% correlation. Physical health limitations were more strongly associated with falls among men (prevalence ratio = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.65–1.71) than women (prevalence ratio = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.49–1.54). As physical health limitations increased, men aged 65–74 had a greater association with falls compared with other age-sex subgroups. Our findings highlight the composite relationship between age, sex, and physical and mental health limitations in association with older adult falls, and support the evidence for individually tailored, multifactorial interventions.

Walking on a Balance Beam as a New Measure of Dynamic Balance to Predict Falls in Older Adults and Patients with Neurological Conditions

“…In contrast to this report’s finding, we found no evidence that the fall risk varies among different disease types. We did not examine or find no associative or predictive role in falls several health conditions (vision, depression, arthritis, alcohol) or functional limitations (ability to climb stairs or perform daily functions) [ 41 , 46 ].…”

“…There is a strong effort underway to identify tests that are associated with falls risks and incidence of falls through the age and disease spectrum [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46]. Of the commonly examined variables such as age, sex, fall history, body fat, education, marital status, or retirement status, beam walking distance was only associated with age which in turn predicted falls over 12 months in healthy adults aged 20-60 years.…”

The characteristics and risk factors of fatal falls among adults aged 60 and above in Southwest China

“…The study conducted by Roberts et al’s proved that the labor force participation rate among adults aged 65–74 surpasses that of individuals in the 75–84 age group, with men exhibiting a higher labor force participation rate compared to women 33 . Within the younger age group, male seniors face an elevated risk of occupational falls due to their engagement in hazardous activities or tasks with high levels of difficulty, even when they experience physical health limitations 34 . While studies reported a greater propensity for falls among senior females residing in rural areas 35 , our data suggested that adverse consequences resulting from falls were severe, rendering them life-threatening events for active outdoors males.…”