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Journal article

Orientation and verbal fluency in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing: modifiable risk factors for falls?

Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between falls and deficits in specific cognitive domains in older adults.

DESIGN: An analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) cohort

SETTING: United Kingdom Community-Based

PARTICIPANTS: 5197 community-dwelling older adults recruited to a prospective longitudinal cohort study.

MEASUREMENTS: Data on the occurrence of falls and number of falls which occurred during a 12-month follow-up period were assessed against the specific cognitive domains of memory, numeracy skills, and executive function. Binomial logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between each cognitive domain and the dichotomous outcome of falls in the preceding 12 months using unadjusted and adjusted models.

RESULTS: Of the 5197 participants included in the analysis, 1308 (25%) reported a fall in the preceding 12 months. There was no significant association between the occurrence of a fall and specific forms of cognitive dysfunction after adjusting for self-reported hearing, selfreported eyesight and functional performance. After adjustment, only orientation (odds ratio (OR): 0.80; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.65-0.98, p=0.03) and verbal fluency (adjusted OR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-1.00; p=0.05) remained significant for predicting recurrent falls.

CONCLUSIONS: The cognitive phenotype rather than cognitive impairment per se may predict future falls in those presenting with more than one fall.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1017/S1041610218002065

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
Medical Sciences Division
Department:
NDORMS
Role:
Author


More from this funder
Funding agency for:
Smith, TO
Grant:
Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford


Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Journal:
International Psychogeriatrics More from this journal
Volume:
31
Issue:
10
Pages:
1491-1498
Publication date:
2018-12-07
Acceptance date:
2018-10-25
DOI:
EISSN:
1741-203X
ISSN:
1041-6102


Keywords:
Pubs id:
pubs:931202
UUID:
uuid:d34ecbc7-aed6-413e-aec8-9a3bf17f554e
Local pid:
pubs:931202
Source identifiers:
931202
Deposit date:
2018-10-25

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