Dynapenic abdominal obesity increases risk for falls among adults aged ≥50 years: a prospective analysis of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing.

Abstract

There is a scarcity of studies examining the longitudinal relationship between dynapenic abdominal obesity (DAO) (i.e., impairment in muscle strength and high waist circumference) and future fall risk. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prospective association between DAO at baseline and falls occurring during two years of follow-up in a nationally representative sample of middle-aged and older individuals from Ireland.

Data from two consecutive waves of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) survey were analyzed. Dynapenia was defined as handgrip strength of <26kg for men and <16kg for women. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference of >88 cm for women and >102 cm for men. DAO was assessed at Wave 1 (2009-2011) and was defined as having both dynapenia and abdominal obesity. Falls occurring between Wave 1 and Wave 2 (2012-2013) were self-reported. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted.

Data on 5275 individuals aged ≥50 years were analyzed [mean (SD) age 63.2 (8.9) years; 48.8% males]. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared to no dynapenia and no abdominal obesity at baseline, DAO was significantly associated with 1.47 (95%CI=1.14-1.89) times higher odds for falls at 2-year follow-up. Dynapenia alone (OR=1.08; 95%CI=0.84-1.40) and abdominal obesity alone (OR=1.09; 95%CI=0.91-1.29) were not significantly associated with falls at follow-up.

DAO increased risk for falls among middle-aged and older adults in Ireland. Interventions to prevent or reverse DAO may be beneficial for fall reduction.