THE EFFECT OF RISK FACTORS FOR FALLS ON ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of risk factors for falls on Quality of Life (QoL) and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) in geriatric patients. Materials and Method: 105 voluntary geriatric patients from geriatrics polyclinic were received in our study. Mental status (Mini Mental Status Examination), balance (Berg Balance Test, Timed Up and Go Test), walking (10-Meter Walking Test), fear of falling (Tinetti's Falls Efficacy Scale), QoL (SF-12), ADL (Barthel Index) were evaluated. Also demographic properties, assistive devices, falls in the previous year, diagnosed diseases, prescribed drugs, visual problems were examined. Data analyses were performed using SPSS, version 10. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between the falls and the assessed risk factors as gender, visual problems, cataract, balance, walking, fear of falling (p < 0.05). While there was a statistically significant difference in QoL scores between the groups of fallers and non-fallers (p < 0.05), the difference in ADL scores was not significant (p > 0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between balance, walking disturbances, fear of falling and QoL and ADL (p < 0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, fear of falling seemed to be the factor that most effects the mental components of QoL, also it effects the ADL more than the other risk factors in our patients.