Table 2 Characteristics of fallers versus non-fallers
From: Cardiovascular responses to orthostasis and their association with falls in older adults
Characteristic | Retrospective fall history | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
Faller | Non-faller | ||
n = 26 | n = 20 | ||
Mean (SD) or No (%) | |||
Demographics | |||
Age (years) | 83.0 (6.8) | 83.4 (9.1) | 0.88 |
Male gender | 9 (34.6) | 12 (60.0) | 0.14 |
Physical function | |||
Activities of daily living score | 7.7 (8.3) | 3.1 (5.3) | 0.048 |
Balance | |||
Maintains balance unassisted | 14 (53.9) | 14 (70.0) | 0.36 |
Mobility | |||
Unassisted | 3 (11.1) | 11 (55.0) | <0.005 |
Cane, walker or crutch | 13 (50.0) | 7 (35.0) | |
Wheelchair | 10 (38.5) | 2 (10.0) | |
Cognitive performance score | 2.1 (1.5) | 1.5 (1.1) | 0.28 |
Medical history | |||
Diabetes | 9 (34.6) | 5 (25.0) | 0.53 |
Atherosclerotic heart disease | 5 (19.2) | 0 (0) | 0.058 |
Congestive heart failure | 5 (19.2) | 2 (10.0) | 0.45 |
Arthritis | 3 (11.3) | 2 (10.0 | 1.0 |
Stroke | 8 (30.8) | 2 (10.0) | 0.15 |
Parkinson’s disease | 1 (3.9) | 1 (5.0) | 1.0 |
Alzheimer’s disease | 4 (15.4) | 1 (5.0) | 0.37 |
Other dementia | 7 (26.9) | 9 (45.0) | 0.23 |
Gait impairment | 7 (26.9) | 3 (15.0) | 0.26 |
Medication use | |||
Number of medications | 10.4 (4.2) | 8.5 (4.2) | 0.13 |
Antipsychotic | 7 (26.9) | 2 (10.0) | 0.26 |
Antianxiety | 2 (7.7) | 4 (20.0) | 0.38 |
Antidepressant | 15 (57.7) | 6 (30.0) | 0.08 |
Hypnotic | 7 (26.9) | 2 (10.0) | 0.26 |
Diuretic | 8 (30.8) | 9 (45.0) | 0.37 |
Analgesic | 17 (65.4) | 11 (55.0) | 0.55 |