Abstract
BACKGROUND: Falls are an important geriatric syndrome with tremendous economic burden. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of fall risk as assessed by digital sensor-based quantitative timed up and go (QTUG) device in elderly pilgrims attending Mahakumbh festival 2019. METHODS: An observational cross-sectional study done in elderly pilgrims attending the Kumbh Festival 2019. Combined fall risk and frailty assessment was estimated objectively using a digital sensor-based QTUG device. Details of age, body mass index (BMI), co-morbidities, and history of falls were also recorded. The association of fall and frailty assessment with gender, age, BMI, co-morbidities, and timed up and go (TUG) time was noted. RESULTS: In total, 370 elderly (aged >60 years) individuals were assessed. The mean age was 65.51 ± 5.22 years. The mean BMI was 25.17 ± 4.56 kg/m2. Previous falls history was seen in 40.12%. The mean combined fall risk and combined frailty risk was 51.79 ± 18.11% and 50.12 ± 18.55%, respectively. The mean TUG time was 16.16 ± 7.46 seconds. Age, female gender, and TUG time had significantly increased combined fall-risk percentage and combined frailty estimate (p: <0.0006, <0.0001, and <0.0001, respectively) and combined frailty percentage (p < 0.0001). BMI and age also had a significant correlation with combined frailty risk (p = 0.0018). CONCLUSION: More than 50% of elderly Indians at Kumbh 2019 had a high combined fall risk and frailty estimate. The mean TUG time of elderly in our study was 16.16 seconds. There was a strong association between increased fall risk and female gender, age, and TUG time.