Fear of falling in older adults: a multiple correspondence analysis of sociodemographic, physical and mental health related factors

Fear of falling (FoF) is a disabling condition due to different factors. The present study assessed potential FoF predictors, among sociodemographic, physical, and mental health domains, and explored their structural patterns. This cross-sectional study is part of the Physical Activity Promotion & Domestic Accidents Prevention (PAP & DAP) project, and was targeted to a sample of 229 independent older people. Correlation/regression analyses were used to explore relationships between FoF and the considered variables. A Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was conducted to show graphical patterns projected into space dimensions. Fifty-nine % of the sample showed moderate/high concern of falling. MCA evidenced two dimensions: the first one explained 41.8% of the variance and was described by FoF, gender, leg strength, perceived mental health, musculoskeletal diseases, and PA status; the second dimension (12.3% of variance), was characterized by physical health, life objectives, education, upper body strength, and living in family/alone. The pattern elicited by MCA was characterized by older subjects with moderate/high FoF having low education or no occupation, being overweight and inactive, suffering from different diseases, having low physical fitness, and declaring low perceived physical and mental health. These results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing FoF should be addressed to this specific pattern of older people.