The relationship between fear of falling and frailty in older adults undergoing hemodialysis

Abstract

Background: Frailty and fear of falling (FOF) are highly prevalent in older adults undergoing hemodialysis (HD). However, there is no reliable evidence of the association between FOF and frailty in older adults undergoing HD.Objectives: This study aimed to determine the association between FOF and frailty in older adults undergoing HD.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 194 older adults undergoing HD in the east of Mazandaran province, Iran. Data were collected using of demographic and clinical characteristics questionnaire, Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), and Falls Efficacy Scale–International (FES-I). Independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression were used to analyze the data.Results: The mean score of the FOF was 34.41±12.20, and most of the participants (38.4%) had moderate FOF. The mean score of the frailty was 6.91±3.12 and most of older adults (34.3%) were vulnerable to frailty. There was a positive and significant association between FOF and frailty in older adults undergoing HD (r=0.802, P<0.001).Conclusion: The majority of older adults receiving chronic HD have moderate to high FOF and are prone to frailty. Therefore, it is necessary to perform appropriate educational, behavioral, and cognitive interventions to reduce the FOF in these patients.

Keywords

• older adults
• fear of falling
• frailty
• hemodialysis