Factors associated with fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults with and without diabetes mellitus: Findings from the Frailty in Brazilian Older People Study (FIBRA-BR).

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the associated factors with fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults with and without diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Data from the Frailty in Brazilian Older People Study (FIBRA-BR), involving 4449 individuals aged 65years or older (19.2% with diabetes), were analyzed. The potential factors associated with fear of falling included sociodemographic data, chronic diseases, health-related variables and functional capacity measures. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with fear of falling.

Results: Female gender, arthritis or rheumatism, negative health self-perception, frailty, lower Lawton Scale score and reduced gait speed were independently associated with fear of falling in both groups. Factors associated with fear of falling specific to non-diabetic older adults were depression, visual impairment, falls in the previous 12months, obesity, depressive symptoms, higher Katz Index score and decreased handgrip strength. Lower Mini-Mental State Examination score was an associated factor with fear of falling only in those with diabetes.

Conclusion: The factors associated with fear of falling did differ between non-diabetic and diabetic older adults. Health care professionals should consider such differences when planning their therapeutic approaches for a successful management of fear of falling in these older populations.