Health-related Quality of Life of Fallers vs. Non-fallers in Community-dwelling Elderly People

Prevalent falls, fall frequencies and health-related quality of life among community-dwelling older Chinese adults

PURPOSE

Fall is a serious health hazard to older adults. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between falls and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in mainland China.

METHODS

Data from 4579 Chinese community-dwelling older adults was analyzed. Data of falls was self-reported by participants, the HRQOL of older adults was measured by the 3-Level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-3L, 3L). Regression models were built to explore the associations of falls (experience and frequency) with the 3L data (index score, EQ-VAS score and health problems). The potential interaction effects between falls and gender on HRQOL were assessed using a likelihood ratio test, sex-stratified analysis was also performed to separately investigate the associations in men and women.

RESULTS

A total of 368 (8.0%) participants had the experience of fall during the last year. Falls (experience and frequency) were significantly related to EQ-5D-3L index and EQ-VAS scores, fall experience contributed to pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression problems, while fall frequency was associated with physical-related problems and pain/discomfort. Significant interactions between falls and sex in several EQ-5D measures were also observed, and men had lager magnitude of associations than women.

CONCLUSION

Falls were negative associated with overall HRQOL as well as separate HRQOL dimensions among older adults. It also appears that the HRQOL influence on older men is more evident than older women.

The moderating role of social factors in the relationship between an incident of fall and depressive symptoms: a study with a national sample of older adults in South Korea

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of an incident of fall on depressive symptoms and the moderating role of social factors (marital status, living arrangement, family network, and friend network) in older adults in South Korea. We hypothesized that the adverse mental health effect of a fall would be pronounced among those who lack social resources (e.g., no spouse, living alone, and social disconnectedness).

METHOD

Using the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans, data were drawn from 8,522 survey participants (aged 65 or older). Multivariate linear regression models of depressive symptoms were examined with an array of predictors: (1) demographic and health variables, (2) social factors, (3) an incident of fall, and (4) interactions between falls and social factors.

RESULTS

More than 15% of the sample had at least one fall in the past 12 months. Higher levels of depressive symptoms were associated with an incident of fall, not married and living alone, and lack of family and friend networks. Not married and living alone and family network significantly moderated the relationship between falls and depressive symptoms. The adverse mental health effect of a fall was more pronounced among those who were not married and living alone and who reported not having any close family members than their counterparts.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight the critical role of family and social resources in protecting older Koreans from the negative mental health consequences of a fall. Findings also provide implications for developing fall prevention and management programs, suggesting prioritizing older adults with limited social resources.

Health-related quality of life of community-dwelling stroke survivors: a comparison of fallers and non-fallers

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of stroke survivors between fallers and non-fallers. [Subjects] The subjects were community-dwelling stroke patients (n = 4,560) in South Korea. All stroke patients were diagnosed by a doctor. [Methods] This study used raw data from the 2014 Korean Community Health Survey. The survey was conducted from August 16, 2014, to October 31, 2014. Trained surveyors visited households selected from the sample and conducted face-to-face interviews. The content of the survey included demographic data and HRQOL. [Results] Fallers were 1,425 (31.25%), non-fallers 3,125 (68.53%), and 10 (0.22%) answered unknown. Gender, living status, occupation, and smoking experience differed significantly between the fallers and non-fallers. The domains of HRQOL, excluding VAS, also differed significantly between the fallers and non-fallers. [Conclusion] These results provide important base data for rehabilitation services for fallers among stroke survivors.