Table 2 Fear-of-falling at baseline and 1 year follow-up
Variable | Baseline high fear-of-falling (n = 390)b | Baseline low fear of falling (n = 168) | Follow up high fear-of-falling (n = 181) | Follow up low fear-of-falling (n = 73) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Demographics | ||||
Female (n/%) | 287 (73.6)** | 99 (58.9) | 122 (67.4) | 52 (71.2) |
Agea | 63 (12.7)** | 59.9 (12.7) | 62 (10.7)** | 62 (10.0) |
Disease factors | ||||
Swollen joints (0–28) a | 5 (6.7)** | 3 (4.7) | 5.0 (6.4)** | 2.6 (4.4) |
Tender joints (0–28) a | 6 (7.3)** | 3 (4.9) | 6 (7.2)** | 4.1 (6.3) |
DAS28 score (0–10) a | 5 (1.5)** | 3 (1.4) | 5 (1.5)** | 3 (1.6) |
Taking steroids at baseline (n/%) | 94 (24.1)* | 23 (13.7) | 42 (23.2)** | 5 (6.8) |
VAS pain score (0–10)a | 5 (2.6)** | 3 (2.2) | 4 (2.5)** | 3 (2.3) |
VAS fatigue score (0–10)a | 5 (2.6)** | 3 (2.6) | 5 (2.6)** | 3 (2.6) |
HAQ score (1–4) a | 3 (0.7)** | 2 (0.5) | 3 (0.8)** | 2 (0.6) |
Medical history | ||||
History of fractures (n/%) | 162 (41.5) | 65 (38.7) | 82 (45.3) | 25 (34.2) |
Poor vision (reg. Blind, v poor or poor) (n/%) | 37 (9.5) | 9 (5.4) | 13 (7.2) | 6 (8.2) |
Previous surgery (n/%) | 291 (74.6) | 116 (69.0) | 137 (75.7) | 50 (68.5) |
Previous joint replacements (n/%) | 99 (25.6) | 26 (15.5) | 44 (24.6) | 1 5 (15.1) |
History of injuries from previous falls (n/%) | 107 (30.7)** | 17 (11.6) | 48 (29.8)* | 8 (12.1) |
Fall risk factors | ||||
No falls in previous year (n/%) | 190 (48.7)** | 126 (75.0) | 91 (50.3)** | 54 (74.0) |
History of single fall in previous year (n/%) | 87 (22.3) | 33 (19.6) | 42 (23.2) | 13 (17.8) |
History of multiple falls in previous year (n/%) | 113 (29.0) | 9 (5.4) | 48 (26.5) | 6 (8.2) |
History of stroke/Parkinson’s (n/%) | 31 (7.9) | 7 (4.2) | 18 (9.9) | 2 (2.7) |
Psychotropic medication (n/%) | 87 (22.3)** | 17 (10.1) | 40 (22.1) | 11 (15.1) |
Four or more types of medicines (n/%) | 328 (84.1)** | 103 (61.3) | 148 (81.8)* | 48 (65.8) |
Feeling dizzy or unsteady (n/%) | 312 (80.0)** | 57 (33.9) | 136 (75.1)** | 31 (42.5) |
Painful feet (n/%) | 321 (82.5)** | 109 (64.9) | 143 (79.4) | 48 (65.8) |
Four test balance scale (n/%) | ||||
Fail at each level | ||||
Unsuccessful | 39 (10.0)** | 0 (0.0) | 13 (7.2)** | 0 (0.0) |
Feet together stand | 13 (3.3) | 0 (0.0)* | 6 (3.3) | 1 (1.4) |
Semi-tandem stand | 177 (45.4) | 39 (23.2)* | 75 (41.4) | 18 (24.7) |
Tandem stand | 81 (20.8) | 34 (20.2)* | 41 (22.7) | 14 (19.2) |
One leg stand | 80 (20.5) | 95 (56.6)* | 46 (25.4) | 40 (54.8) |
Able to complete 5 chair stands (n/%) | 316 (81.0)** | 167 (99.4) | 145 (80.1)** | 72 (98.6) |