Falls and depression in older people

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most common risk factors for falls, but links between falls and depression are still unclear. Few studies have examined the relationship between depression and gait alteration, which may increase the risk of fall. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess a possible relationship between depression, postural and gait abnormalities, and falls. METHODS: We conducted a 1-year prospective study on patients >/=70 years who were admitted to a geriatric unit for 'spontaneous' unexplained falls. Patients were tested for depression using the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Their motor performances were assessed using the Mini Motor Test (MMT), which is an easy direct-observation test, validated in France, for assessment of frail old people who present with severe postural and gait impairment. This scale is composed of 4 categories of items: (1) abilities in bed; (2) quality of the sitting position; (3) abilities in the standing position, and (4) quality of gait. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients were included. Depression was found in 46 patients (66.7%). The MMT score was higher in the non-depressed fallers (NDF) group (GDS 10; p < 0.05). The 2 groups were compared for each of the 4 items of the MMT: the difference between the DF and NDF groups was mainly explained by the impairment of postural abilities in the standing position. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the idea that depression is associated with postural abnormalities in the standing position, which may predispose to falls. In clinical practice, more attention should be given to old fallers concerning diagnosis and treatment of associated depression.