The association between physical multimorbidity and fall-related injury among adults aged = 50 years from low- and middle-income countries

Studies from high-income countries have shown that multimorbidity is associated with increased fall risk among older adults. However, studies specifically on this topic from low- and middle-income counties (LMICs) are lacking. Thus, we aimed to assess this association among adults aged >= 50 year...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Smith L, López Sánchez GF, Shin JI, Oh H, Kostev K, Tully MA, Barnett Y, Butler LT, Veronese N, Soysal P, Jacob L, Koyanagi A
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Fundació Sant Joan de Déu
Repositorio:r-FSJD. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica de la Fundació Sant Joan de Déu
OAI Identifier:oai:fsjd.fundanetsuite.com:p28326
Acceso en línea:https://fsjd.fundanetsuite.com/Publicaciones/ProdCientif/PublicacionFrw.aspx?id=28326
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Low-and middle-income countries
Falls
Multimorbidity
Chronic disease
Epidemiology
Descripción
Sumario:Studies from high-income countries have shown that multimorbidity is associated with increased fall risk among older adults. However, studies specifically on this topic from low- and middle-income counties (LMICs) are lacking. Thus, we aimed to assess this association among adults aged >= 50 years from six LMICs.Cross-sectional, community-based data from the Study on Global Ageing and Adult Health (SAGE) were analyzed. Eleven chronic physical conditions were assessed. The presence of past 12-month fall-related injury was ascertained through self-reported information. Multivariable logistic regression and mediation analysis was conducted to assess the association between multimorbidity and fall-related injury.Data on 34,129 adults aged >= 50 years [mean (SD) age 62.4 (16.0) years; males 48.0%] were analyzed. Overall, compared to having no chronic conditions, having 2, 3, and >= 4 chronic conditions were significantly associated with 1.67 (95%CI = 1.21-2.30), 2.64 (95%CI = 1.89-3.68), and 3.67 (95%CI = 2.42-5.57) times higher odds for fall-related injury. The association between multimorbidity (i.e., >= 2 chronic conditions) and fall-related injury was mainly explained by pain/discomfort (mediated% 39.7%), mobility (34.1%), sleep/energy (24.2%), and cognition (13.0%).Older adults with multimorbidity in LMICs are at increased odds for fall-related injury. Targeting the identified potential mediators among those with multimorbidity may reduce fall risk in this population.