Abstract
BACKGROUND: The disorders affecting one's gait and physical balance along with medications usage affects cognitive abilities along with physical functions that have association with greater risk of fall or sustenance of any injury arising from fall among elders. In addition to this, consumption of alcohol contributes towards risk of fall since it influences gait and impairs balance and cognition. Also, physiological changes occurring with advancement of age (for example, reduction in hepatic function as well as decrease in total bodily water content) makes elder adults susceptible to adverse incidents such as fall. The present study aimed to assess the risk factors that are associated with dental trauma and prevention of falls in elderly patients reporting to oral healthcare centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient Department of Dental College and Hospital. Kihon questionnaire comprised of twenty five items to assess the elderly patients using parameters like (i) Day to day activities; (ii) Physical functions; (iii) Nutrition intake; (iv) Oral functions, (v) Cognition, (vi) mood changes, and (vii) isolation. The study respondents replying to "yes" to minimum of 7 out of 25 items were selected in final assessment. Normal data distribution of variables was determined by Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistical tool. Comparison of studied age-groups was performed by "Chi-square test" for categorical variables. RESULTS: Factors which were linked with falls demonstrated statistically significant difference (P = 0.02) between the ages of both genders as well as was noted between genders (P = 0.05). No statistically significant difference (P = 0.07) was observed between body mass indices of fall patients belonging to either gender. However, on comparing elders who suffered falls with those who did not, it was found that no statistical significant differences were observed on comparison between age (P = 0.06), gender (P = 0.08), and body mass index (P = 0.07). Although, statistical significance (P = 0.05) was observed between groups who exercised. Similarly, statistically significant differences were observed on comparing awareness of fraility (P = 0.04), numbers of applicable questionnaire items (P = 0.04), physical frailness (P = 0.02), and oral frailness (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded from the study that advanced age and gender were found to have significant effect over fall when assessed in patients who had suffered fall.