The prevalence of falling and status of physical function among elderly individuals with locomotive and visual/hearing disorders.

In a super-aged society, the need for prevention of locomotor dysfunction is growing, and evidence for feasible preventive measures is thus required. This study aimed to examine the relationship between these disorders and the prevalence rates for falling and physical function status. Participants included 1182 community-dwelling elderly Japanese individuals aged 60 and older. Subjects were classified into four groups on the basis of the presence or absence of locomotive and visual/hearing disorders. Locomotive and visual/hearing organs disorders and physical function were assessed using a self-rated questionnaire. Competence level with activities of daily living (ADL) was used to assess physical function. Locomotive disorder was more prevalent in females than in males, and the presence of such disorders tended to have more influence on the risk of falling and decline in ADL function in females than in males. Locomotive disorders may have a greater effect on the lives of elderly females compared with elderly males. Although there was no significant odds ratio in the presence of multiple disorders, the prevalence rate of the multiple disorders increased with age and this increased the risk of falling also increases with age.