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Introduction: Falls are an important health problem among elderly, with various consequences. The objectives of this study were to estimate 1-year incidence of falls, distribution, and severity of fall-related injuries and to determine risk factors for fall risk among the elderly population aged =60 years. Methods: A total of 140 urban community-dwelling participants aged =60 years were studied using an investigator-administered questionnaire. Short physical performance battery, chair stand test, handgrip strength, and anthropometric measurements were done. The Chi-square test was done to compare fallers and nonfallers. Logistic regression was done for independently associated risk factors. Results: One-year incidence of falls was 14.3%; 17.6% among women and 9.1% among men. Sixty percent of participants had multiple falls. Seventy-five percent of the fallers were overweight or obese. Sprain was the most common reported fall-related injury (20%), whereas 45% had no injuries. Depression (60%), osteoporosis (80%), poor activities of daily living (90%), and polypharmacy (35%) were significantly associated with falls. Osteoporosis (odds ratio: 14.89; 95% confidence interval: 1.91-115.95) was independently associated with fall risk. Conclusions: The burden of falls among urban elderly was low. The majority of the population experienced multiple falls. Since chronic diseases including osteoporosis and poor mobility were directly associated with the risk of falls, further longitudinal studies may explore the health-related and socioenvironmental risks further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objectives were to estimate prevalence of obesity among frail individuals aged =80 years and examine the association of obesity with cognitive impairment and depression among frail individuals aged =80 years. Methods: Twohundred community-dwelling participants aged =80 years, were enrolled; 166 frail participants were further analyzed. Obesity and adiposity were determined by Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist Circumference (WC) and Body Fat Percentage (BF%). Cognitive impairment and Depression were assessed using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15). Frailty was assessed by Fried criteria. Chi-Square, t-test, trend-analysis and Logistic Regression (LR) were done. Results: Obesity among Frail individuals aged =80 years was 40% using BMI and 73.2% using WC. Obesity was inversely associated with cognitive impairment and depression among frail individuals. Severity of cognitive impairment and depression was lower among obese frail than non-obese frail. Trend-analysis showed decreasing cognitive impairment and depression with increasing BF%. On LR, obesity among frail individuals had inverse association with cognitive impairment and depression. Conclusion: Obesity among frail individuals aged =80 years was associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment and depression in our population. Positive effects of weight gain in oldest old frail individuals and development of cognitive impairment and dementia should be explored in further researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine the prevalence of functional limitations, and sex difference among 140 randomly selected older men (N=55) and women (N= 85) elderly, age varying 60 years and above, living in Hyderabad city, (Telangana State) A Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) as a measurement of physical performance was used as a measure of data collection. Each participant was administered SPPB individually. Functional limitation was classified as a participant with SPPB score < 9. Other measures included, self-reported health status, history of smoking and alcohol, anthropometric measurements, physical functions, and disabilities. The data was analysed keeping in mind age, sex, marital status, education of participants. Chi-square test and t-test were used. Trend analysis was done using logistic regression to determine the pattern of difference in functional limitations in both the sexes. The prevalence of functional limitation was 62.9 per cent. Older women had poorer physical performance measures than older men (OR:2.63; 95%CI: 1.29-5.35). Older women had poorer physical functions than men counterparts. Components of SPPB showing sex differences were poor balance and poor lower limb muscle strength. The pattern of functional limitation with progressing age was different among men and women in the participants of this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]