Calf circumference and risk of falls among Peruvian older adults

Background: Calf circumference is related to sarcopenia in older people and this condition is associated with falls. Objective: Examine the association between calf circumference and falls risk in Peruvian veterans and their family members. Method: Retrospective, hospital based cohort study. A total of 643 non-institutionalized participants from the Geriatrics Service of the Naval Medical Center were assessed. We asked about falls, comorbidities, gait/balance assessment, functional status and calf circumference. Results: At least 360 (57.42%) out of the 643 participants assessed, experienced one (1) fall during the follow-up. Using a Cox regression analysis we found out that comorbidities, disability, gait/balance and low calf circumference were associated with falls risk. Our data reported high falls risk in lower calf circumference groups, and provided helpful data about anthropometric measures. Conclusion: A low calf circumference increases falls risk in naval veterans. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS and European Union Geriatric Medicine Society. All rights reserved.