TY - JOUR
T1 - Different cognitive functions in relation to falls among older persons
T2 - Immediate memory as an independent risk factor for falls
AU - Van Schoor, Natasja M.
AU - Smit, Johannes H.
AU - Pluijm, Saskia M.F.
AU - Jonker, Cees
AU - Lips, Paul
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank Jan Poppelaars, Mariëtte Westendorp, Marleen van der Horst, Els Lommerse, Ellen Tromp and Vianda Stel for their help in collecting and processing the data. The study is based on data collected within the framework of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), which is funded by the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sports of The Netherlands. This study was also partially funded by the Praeventiefonds, The Hague.
PY - 2002/9/1
Y1 - 2002/9/1
N2 - It is not clear which specific cognitive function is strongest related to falls. To investigate this, not only "general cognitive functioning," but also "nonverbal and abstract reasoning," "information processing speed," and "immediate memory" were related to falls. Furthermore, relevant effect modifiers, confounders, and mediators were identified. This study was performed within the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), a multidisciplinary, prospective cohort study. In this study (n = 1437), an interaction between "immediate memory" and age was found. In persons aged 75 years and over, "immediate memory," as measured by the 15 Words Test, showed to be an independent risk factor for falls. Part of this relationship was explained by the mediating effects of activity, mobility, and grip strength. The association between the other cognitive functions and falls was only statistically significant in univariate analysis. We conclude that "immediate memory" is an independent risk factor for recurrent falls in persons aged 75 years and older.
AB - It is not clear which specific cognitive function is strongest related to falls. To investigate this, not only "general cognitive functioning," but also "nonverbal and abstract reasoning," "information processing speed," and "immediate memory" were related to falls. Furthermore, relevant effect modifiers, confounders, and mediators were identified. This study was performed within the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), a multidisciplinary, prospective cohort study. In this study (n = 1437), an interaction between "immediate memory" and age was found. In persons aged 75 years and over, "immediate memory," as measured by the 15 Words Test, showed to be an independent risk factor for falls. Part of this relationship was explained by the mediating effects of activity, mobility, and grip strength. The association between the other cognitive functions and falls was only statistically significant in univariate analysis. We conclude that "immediate memory" is an independent risk factor for recurrent falls in persons aged 75 years and older.
KW - 15 Words Test
KW - Cognitive functions
KW - Elderly
KW - Falls
KW - Immediate memory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0036710797&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/S0895-4356(02)00438-9
DO - 10.1016/S0895-4356(02)00438-9
M3 - Article
C2 - 12393072
AN - SCOPUS:0036710797
SN - 0895-4356
VL - 55
SP - 855
EP - 862
JO - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
JF - Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
IS - 9
ER -