The Association between Gait Speed and Falls in Community Dwelling Older Adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment

Claire E. Adam, Annette L. Fitzpatrick, Cindy S. Leary, Anjum Hajat, Elizabeth A. Phelan, Christina Park and Erin O. Semmens
Additional contact information
Claire E. Adam: School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Skaggs Building Room 177, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
Annette L. Fitzpatrick: Department of Family Medicine, University of Washington, Box #356390, Seattle, WA 98195-6390, USA
Cindy S. Leary: School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Skaggs Building Room 177, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
Anjum Hajat: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351619, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Elizabeth A. Phelan: Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, 325 9th Avenue, Box 359755, Seattle, WA 98104-2499, USA
Christina Park: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, UW Box #351619, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Erin O. Semmens: School of Public and Community Health Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Skaggs Building Room 177, Missoula, MT 59812, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-10

Abstract: (1) Background: Falls are common in older adults and result in injuries, loss of independence, and death. Slow gait is associated with falls in older adults, but few studies have assessed the association between gait speed and falls among those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). (2) Methods: The association between gait speed and falls was assessed in 2705 older adults with and without MCI participating in the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory Study. Gait speed was measured via a 15-foot walk test and fall history through self-report. We used data collected at the 12-month (2001–2003) and 18-month visits (2002–2004). (3) Results: Participant average age was 78.5 years (sd = 3.2); 45% were female, and 14% had MCI at baseline. The average gait speed was 0.93 m/s (sd = 0.20). Sixteen percent ( n = 433) and 18% ( n = 498) reported at least one fall at the 12-month and 18-month visits, respectively. Faster gait speed was associated with decreased risk of falling (RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.91, 0.99) for every 10 cm/s increase in gait speed adjusted for age, gender, study arm, site, and MCI status. (4) Conclusions: The relationship between gait speed and risk of falling did not vary by MCI status (interaction p-value = 0.78).

Keywords: falls; mild cognitive impairment; gait speed (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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