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Association of executive function impairment, history of falls and physical performance in older adults: A cross-sectional population-based study in Eastern France

  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

To estimate: 1) the association between executive function (EF) impairment and falls; and 2) the association of EF impairment on tests of physical function used in the evaluation of fall risk.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Thirteen health examination centres in Eastern France.

Participants

Four thousand four hundred and eighty one community-dwelling older adults without dementia aged 65 to 97 years (mean age 71.8±5.4, women 47.6%).

Measurements

Participants underwent a comprehensive medical assessment that included evaluations of EF using the Clock Drawing Test and of physical performance using the Timed Up & Go Test (TUG). Analysis used multivariable modified Poisson regression to evaluate the association between impaired EF and each of the fall outcomes (any fall, recurrent falls, fall-related injuries). Multivariable linear regression was used to evaluate the association between EF impairment and performance on the TUG and grip strength.

Results

EF impairment, assessed using the clock drawing test, was present in 24.9% of participants. EF impairment was independently associated with an increased risk of any fall (RR=1.13, 95% CI (1.03, 1.25)) and major soft tissue fall-related injury (RR= 2.42, 95% CI (1.47, 4.00)). Additionally, EF impairment was associated with worse performance on the TUG (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

EF impairment among older adults without dementia was highly prevalent and was independently associated with an increased risk for falls, fall-related injuries and with decreased physical function. The use of the Clock Drawing Test is an easy to administer measure of EF that can be used routinely in comprehensive fall risk evaluations.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gait & Brain Lab, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    Susan W. Muir & M. Montero-Odasso

  2. Department of Neuroscience, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France

    O. Beauchet, C. Annweiler & B. Fantino

  3. Angers University Memory center, Angers, France

    C. Annweiler & B. Fantino

  4. UPRES EA 2646, University of Angers, UNAM, Angers, France

    C. Annweiler & B. Fantino

  5. Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada

    M. Montero-Odasso & M. Speechley

  6. Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada

    M. Montero-Odasso

  7. Parkwood Hospital, Division of Geriatrics Room A-350, 801 Commissioners Rd E., London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5A5

    Susan W. Muir

Authors
  1. Susan W. Muir
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  2. O. Beauchet
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  3. M. Montero-Odasso
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  4. C. Annweiler
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  5. B. Fantino
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  6. M. Speechley
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susan W. Muir.

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Muir, S.W., Beauchet, O., Montero-Odasso, M. et al. Association of executive function impairment, history of falls and physical performance in older adults: A cross-sectional population-based study in Eastern France. J Nutr Health Aging 17, 661–665 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-013-0045-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-013-0045-4

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