Publication: Prevalence of falls and their associated factors among hypertensive older adults in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu
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Date
2021
Authors
Bakar, Atirah Az-Zahra Abu
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Abstract
Introduction Falls are prominent health issues among older adults. Among hypertensive older adults, falls may have a detrimental effect on their health and wellbeing. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of falls among hypertensive older adults and to identify the factors associated with their falls. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among two hundred and sixty-nine hypertensive older adults who were selected via systematic random sampling in two primary health clinics in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. Data on their socio-demographic details, their history of falls, medication history and clinical characteristics were collected. For the clinical characteristics, Modified Snellen Chart, Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire and Modified Barthel Index were used during the assessment. Balance and gait were assessed using the Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA). The analysis of the collected data was done using SPSS software. The simple logistic regression followed by multiple logistic regression analysis with backward and forward stepwise procedures were used. Result: It was found that 32.2% of participants reported falls within a year. Polypharmacy (adjusted OR 2.513, 95% CI 1.339, 4.718) and diuretics (adjusted OR 2.803, 95% CI 1.418, 5.544) were associated with an increased risk of falls. Meanwhile, a higher POMA score (adjusted OR 0.940, 95% CI 0.886, 0.996) and the number of antihypertensives (adjusted OR 0.473, 95% CI 0.319, 0.700) were associated with a low incidence of falling among hypertensive older adults. Conclusion Falls are common among hypertensive older adults. Older adults who are taking diuretics and have a polypharmacy treatment plan have a higher incidence of falls. However, older adults taking a higher number of anti-hypertensive medications were associated with a lower risk of falls.
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Keywords
falls , hypertension