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Simple screening test for risk of falls in the elderly |
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| Authors: | Jiro Okochi Kenji Toba Tai Takahashi Kozo Matsubayashi Masanori Nishinaga Ryutaro Takahashi Takashi Ohrui |
| Institution: | Hara-Doi Hospital, Japan Department of Clinical Research, Fukuoka,;Department of Geriatric Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka,;Department of Medicine and Welfare, International University of Medicine and Welfare, Otawara,;Center of South-east Asia, Kyoto University, Kyoto,;Department of Medicine and Geriatrics, Kochi Medical School, Kochi,;Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, and;Department of Geriatric Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan |
| Abstract: | Background: The aim of this study is to construct a simple screening test for the risk of falls in community-dwelling elder persons. Methods: A total of 1378 community-dwelling people aged 65 years and older in five different communities in Japan were asked to answer a self rated questionnaire including 22 items covering physical, cognitive, emotional and social aspects of functioning and environmental factors. At a six-month follow-up, the outcome of fall occurrence and the number of falls was ascertained by social workers, health visitors or nurses. Results: Five out of 22 items were selected using a logistic regression model. Using this five-item version, a screening test was constructed, and at the best cut-off point, the sensitivity and specificity were 68% and 70%, respectively. The validity of this scale was tested on persons with cognitive dysfunction. Conclusion: The simplicity and the predictive validity of the screening test support the use of this test in health check ups or general outpatient facilities. |
| Keywords: | accidental fall aged mass screening reliability and validity risk factor |