背景與目的 脆弱老人量表(Vulnerable Elders Survey-13, VES-13),為可評測不同衰退程度老年人的測量量表,藉由13項風險因素,轉化簡單得分,評斷老年人衰退程度,可預測不良健康結果之風險。目前國內鮮有研究檢視VES-13量表是否能預測諸如跌倒之不良健康結果。因此本研究探討脆弱老人量表得分是否能有效預測台灣老年人四年後跌倒與否與跌倒次數。 方法 本研究為縱貫式世代研究,以行政院衛生福利部國民健康署「台灣地區中老年身心社會生活狀況長期追蹤調查系列」2003年度第五波調查與2007年度第六波調查進行。對象為2003年度第五波調查時達65歲 (含)以上之受訪者,研究總樣本共1729人。以二元羅吉斯迴歸分析VES-13量表得分與是否跌倒之間相關性;另以多元羅吉斯迴歸分析VES-13量表得分與每年跌倒次數之間相關性 結果 本研究顯示VES-13得分不能預測是否發生跌倒及跌倒次數,疼痛為可顯著預測是否發生跌倒及發生跌倒次數。 結論 未來應藉由其他周全跌倒評估或更簡便步態平衡測量工具,進行有跌倒老人之篩檢與跌倒預防,以減少老年人因跌倒事故意外,造成後續身體功能衰退及死亡風險可能發生。 關鍵字:脆弱老人量表、跌倒、跌倒危險因子、社區老人
Background & Objective The Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13) has been validated and used extensively in the Western countries to identify vulnerable elderly for targeted intervention. However, at present, very few studies have investigated whether VES-13 score predicts falls for community-dwelling elderly. This study examined the association between VES-13 score and occurrence as well as the frequency of falls for community-dwelling elderly in Taiwan. Methods Data for this longitudinal cohort study came from 2003 and 2007 waves of the Survey of Health and Living State of the Elderly in Taiwan. After excluding those younger than 65 years old, proxy respondents, and those with missing data, the final sample consisted of 1729 community-dwelling elderly. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used for data analyses. Results The VES-13 scale did not predict the occurrence and frequency of falls. Pain was a risk factor of occurrence and frequency of falls. Conclusion Future study should examine the utility of other brief screening tools in identifying vulnerable elderly who are at risk of falls so that appropriate intervention can be implemented to reduce the risk of falls and thus the adverse outcomes such as disability and death. Key words:Vulnerable Elders Survey-13、falls、risk factors、community-dwelling elderly