Development and validation of a fall risk Questionnaire in Greek community-dwelling individuals over 60 years old

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a questionnaire that can reliably recognize Greek individuals over the age of 60 with increased risk of falls. METHODS: An 11-item self-reported Questionnaire (LRMS) was developed and delivered to 200 individuals. Collected data were compared to Timed Up and Go (TUG), Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Tinetti Assessment Tool, Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) and Morse fall scale. The results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Correlation between LRMS and the examined tools was high TUG (r=0.831), FES-I (r=–0.820), Tinetti balance (r=–0.812), Tinetti gait (r=–0.789), GDS-15 (r=–0.562), and Morse fall scale (r=0.795). Cronbach’s alpha for LRMS total score was 0.807. ICC of the LRMS total score was 0.991. The area under the curve of LRMS was 0.930 (cut-off point 10.5, 95% C.I. 0.88 - 0.98, p<0.001, sensitivity=86%, specificity=98%) with TUG as gold standard, 0.919 (cut-off point 11.5, 95% C.I. 0.88 - 0.96, p<0.001, sensitivity=85%, specificity=89%) with FES-I and 0.947 (cut-off point 10.5, 95% C.I. 0.91 - 0.98, p<0.001, sensitivity=93%, specificity=91%) with Tinetti. CONCLUSIONS: The LRMS Questionnaire showed sufficient internal consistency, excellent test–retest reliability and high correlation with the already established tools for fall risk assessment. It is short and easy to use without assistance from specially trained personnel.