Cardiovascular responses to orthostasis and their association with falls in older adults

BMC Geriatrics

Table 1 Participant characteristics derived from the minimum data set document

Parameter	Derivation from the MDS
Cognitive function	Cognitive function was quantified by calculating a Cognitive Performance Score. This system provides a range of scores from 1 (highest level of cognitive function) to 7 (lowest cognitive function). The method has been found to have good agreement with the Folstein Mini-Mental Status Examination, considered to be the ‘gold-standard’ for detecting cognitive impairment [27]
Balance	Participant’s balance was assessed using Question G3.
Mobility	Mobility was assessed using Question G5.
Activities of daily living	These were quantified using Questions G1 and G2. A summary score was presented using the Activities of Daily Living Long [28].
Comorbidities	The presence of disease was determined from Section I1.
Medication use	This was assessed from Section O. The number of medications, as well as medication types were assessed.

The Minimum Data Set provides information about various aspects of health. This includes, but is not limited to, cognitive function, physical function, disease diagnoses, and medication use [10]. The majority of participants received this assessment on a quarterly basis. Although not a perfect instrument, it has good internal consistency, good inter-rater reliability, and high validity [27, 29, 30]. We used this assessment to gather demographic data, as well as to collect data concerning other known risk factors for falls [28, 31, 32]. These included cognitive function, mobility, impairments in activities of daily living, and medication use

ISSN: 1471-2318