This study assessed the risk factors for falls and evaluated the correlation between body composition, serological indices, and the risk of falls in older individuals.
This cross-sectional study included 387 individuals ≥60 years of age in the cadre ward of the First Hospital of Jilin University. The information used in this study was obtained from the comprehensive geriatric assessment database of the cadre ward. The body composition of the individuals was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis using an InBody S10 device. We assessed fall risk using the fall risk assessment tool. Individuals with ≤2 points were placed in the low-risk group, those with 3–9 points were placed in the medium-risk group, and those with ≥10 points were placed in the high-risk group.
Differences in age, educational background, height, cognitive impairment, malnutrition, ability of daily living, depression, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, intracellular water, total body moisture, water ratio, limb moisture (right and left, upper and lower), trunk moisture, fat-free weight, arm girth, body cell mass, skeletal muscle mass, limb muscle (right and left, upper and lower), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), sarcopenia, hemoglobin level, hematocrit level, aspartate aminotransferase level, albumin level, anemia, and hypoproteinemia were observed among the three groups (
Our findings suggest that educational background, age, cognitive impairment, lower limb edema, decreased skeletal muscle mass, and sarcopenia were associated with falls in older individuals. Body composition and serological indices can assist in the early identification of falls in the older people.