OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship among sociodemographic, clinical, functional and psychocognitive variables in older adults who attend a community-based group, and to identify the association between the aggregate interaction of these variables and single and recurrent falls. METHODS: A cross sectional exploratory study with 150 older adults, of both genders who attended a third age group, in Itu municipality, São Paulo. It was used a semi-structured interview including: sociodemographic, physical health, physical functioning (Brazilian OARS Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire - BOMFAQ, Timed up and go test - TUG) and mental health (Geriatric Depression Scale - GDS-15; Mini Mental State Examination - MMSE). Physical activity level was determined by questions about frequency and duration of physical activities. The outcome variable was the number of falls in the previous year. A cluster analysis was conducted to search for profiles of groups composed by the joint variation in variable distribution regarding sociodemographic, physical functioning, physical and mental health data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify association between socio-demographic, physical functioning, physical and mental health clusters and single falls and recurrent falls. RESULTS: The mean age was 71.9 (5,6 SD) years. The univariate analysis revealed an association between the mental health cluster (without depressive symptoms but with cognitive decline) and recurrent falls (OR=2.73 IC 95% 1.04-7.22 p=0.042) but this association was not significant in the multivariate analysis (p=0.082). CONCLUSION: It was not possible to identify any profile of single fallers and recurrent fallers among active older adults. However, our findings suggest that in active older fallers, a comprehensive geriatric assessment, with a focused approach on cognitive function should be considered.
Elderly; Accidental falls; Risk factors; Active ageing
