Changes in Fall Rates From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings From the Prospective AMBROSIA Study. Issue 4 (11th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bowling, C Barrett; Wei, Rong X; Qian, Lei; Shimbo, Daichi; Schwartz, Joseph E; Muntner, Paul; Cannavale, Kimberly L; Harrison, Teresa N; Reynolds, Kristi
• Editors: Lipsitz, Lewis A
• Is Part Of: Journals of gerontology. Volume 78:Issue 4(2023)
• Page Start: 624
• Page End: 629
• Publication Date: 2022-06-11
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- Falls -- Older adults; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glac131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1079-5006

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) social distancing policies resulted in reductions in community movement, however, fall rates during this time have not been described. Methods: This prospective study included adults ≥65 years old participating in the Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Older Adults (AMBROSIA) cohort and who completed ≥1 monthly falls calendar (August 2019–March 2021; n = 250). Months were grouped to correspond to the fall 2020 phased reopening (August–October) and the shelter-in-place policy during the winter 2020 surge (November–January) in Los Angeles, California and compared to the same months, 1 year earlier (ie, before the pandemic). Results: Participants had a mean (standard deviation [ SD ]) age of 75.2 (6.1) years, 49.6% were White, and 53.2% were women. We obtained 2 795 falls calendars during follow-up. Overall, 110 (44.0%) participants reported a total of 421 falls (rate 15.1 per 100 calendar months). The highest monthly fall rate during the pandemic was 22.9 (95% confidence interval [CI] 16.4–31.1) per 100 calendar-months in August 2020. The lowest fall rate during the pandemic was 8.6 (95% CI 3.5–17.8) per 100 calendar-months in February 2021. During the pandemic, fall rates in August, September, and October 2020 were higher than the previous year (rate ratio 1.8 [95% CI 1.1–2.9]), and fall rates in November and December 2020 and January 2021 were lower than the previous year (rate ratio 0.5 [95% CI 0.4–0.8]). Conclusion: As the pandemic continues and older adults resume community mobility after a shelter-in-place period, providers should pay attention to the risk of falls.