Falls reported by 29% of Saudi adults aged 45 and older

Researchers surveyed 437 adults aged 45–90 years in Saudi Arabia about chronic diseases and falls during the previous 12 months. The cross-sectional analysis compared disease prevalence among fallers and non-fallers and assessed associations using odds ratios, with adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics.

Overall, 128 participants (29.3%) reported a fall. Falls were more prevalent among older adults than middle-aged participants (37.4% versus 24.1%; p=0.003). At least one chronic disease was reported by 317 participants (72.5%), with higher prevalence among older than middle-aged adults (88.3% versus 62.4%; p≤0.001). Chronic disease was more common among fallers than non-fallers (84.4% versus 67.6%). Heart disease and asthma were associated with falls in analyses adjusted for demographic characteristics; after further adjustment for clinical characteristics, female sex and walking-aid use remained independently associated.

The findings describe associations in this sample and do not establish that chronic diseases caused falls. The cross-sectional design and reliance on reported fall history limit conclusions about timing and causality. The authors report university research funding and no competing interests.