Study of knee pain, fear of falling, and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults, Northern Thailand

Pongsaton  Silangirn; Keng  Chaichana; Sarinthorn  Thummayot; Phanit  Srisuttha; Uratcha  Sadjapong; Eakasit  Chaipin; Ratana  Sapbamrer; Sakesun Thongtip

doi:10.52225/narra.v4i2.915

Authors

Pongsaton Silangirn Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1137-440X
Keng Chaichana Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1941-3395
Sarinthorn Thummayot Division of Anatomy, School of Medical Sciences, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0000-3028-7653
Phanit Srisuttha Department of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2476-299X
Uratcha Sadjapong Department of Health Promotion, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3050-9804
Eakasit Chaipin Department of Community Public Health, Faculty of Science, Lampang Rajabhat University, Lampang, Thailand. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1472-8786
Ratana Sapbamrer Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0379-2798
Sakesun Thongtip Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Phayao, Thailand https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7318-4213

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52225/narra.v4i2.915

Keywords:

Knee pain, fear of falling, falls, quality of life, older adults

Abstract

Fall is the leading cause of disability and mortality due to unintentional injury in older adults. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with knee pain, fear of falling, and quality of life among community-dwelling older adults in Northern Thailand. A cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults aged 60 and over. A total of 369 participants were enrolled from April to May 2024. Oxford knee score, a short version of the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I) and World Health Organization quality of life-BREF-Thai, was measured. The results showed that the mean age was 69.4 years and 47 (12.7%) had a history of falls in the previous year. The prevalence of fear of falling was 39.3% for low, 22.5% for moderate, and 38.2% for high concern. Age, marital status, alcohol, history of falls, hypertension, arthritis, and osteoporosis were associated with fear of falling. After adjusting to age, gender, body mass index, education, marital status, smoking, alcohol, history of falls, and chronic disease, osteoarthritis of the knee was positively associated with increasing fear of falling (β: 0.361; p<0.001), while quality of life was negatively associated with fear of falling (β: -0.064; p<0.011). In conclusion, the identified determinants of fear of falling among the elderly indicated the need for fear of falling prevention programs targeting not only individual lifestyles but also chronic diseases. This study provides useful information that might help to develop and adopt effective policies for fear of falling control in Thailand.