The predictive relationship between factors related to fear of falling and mortality among community-dwelling older adults in Korea: analysis of the Korean longitudinal study of aging from 2006 to 2014

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the predictive relationship between factors related to fear of falling (FOF) and mortality among community-dwelling older adults in Korea. Method: Data were obtained from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). Hierarchical Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were conducted to identify factors related to FOF and correlations of these factors with mortality. Results: During the eight-year follow-up period, 964 participants (23.5%) died. Death was more likely to occur in males (hazard ratio [HR], 2.55; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.17-3.00), those 75 years old or older (HR, 2.76; 95% CI, 2.40-3.17), those without education (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.05-1.52), and those living without a spouse (HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.11-1.51). Those afraid of falling (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.17-1.70), limiting their activities due to FOF (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.21-1.62), showing symptoms of depression (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.16-1.54), and having low life satisfaction (HR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.13-1.59) were also more likely to experience decreased lifespans. Conclusion: These results suggest that early management and prevention of factors related to FOF should be an effective approach to reducing mortality in older adults.