Association Between Fatigue and Incident Falls in Older Men: the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study
Year: 2017
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: Fatigue is a component of frailty; both fatigue and frailty are associated with lower physical function. Frailty is a known fall risk, but the independent contribution of fatigue to fall risk is unclear. This association was examined in 5,994 men aged 64–100. Fatigue was measured “during the past four weeks, how much time did you feel energetic?” then classified (fatigued=none, little, some; non-fatigued=good bit, most, all). Incident falls were captured using triannual questionnaires over three years. Men with fatigue (25%) were older (75.1 ± 6.2 vs. 73.2 ± 5.7 years), less active (Physical Activity Scale for Elderly=118.7 ± 62.1 vs. 155.9 ± 67.7), and lower functioning (narrow walking speed=1.05 ± 0.27 vs. 1.18 ± 0.26 m/s) than non-fatigued (all p<0.0001). Fatigued versus non-fatigued men had 26% higher fall risk (RR=1.26, 95%CI:1.15, 1.40) adjusted for demographics, fall history, medications, activity, and function. Perceived fatigue is an important risk factor of falling and, if reduced, may lessen the burden of falls in older men.
Source: Innovation in Aging
Language: English
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,977
OpenAlex ID: W2725307342