The primary aim of this study was to identify key predictors of fall risk in older Vietnamese adults with KOA, with a focus on physical and psychological factors to inform culturally relevant fall prevention interventions.
This cross-sectional study included 89 older adults (mean age = 66.00 years, SD = 9.605) diagnosed with KOA from three hospitals and community settings in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Participants underwent the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST) and completed the Vietnamese version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of fall risk using fall history as the dependent variable.
Both the FTSST and DASS-21 Depression subscale were significant predictors of fall risk in univariate and multivariate models (p 0.05). ROC analysis demonstrated that the FTSST had high predictive value (AUC = 0.809), with a cut-off of 24.1 seconds, and the DASS-21 Depression subscale showed an AUC of 0.836 with a cut-off score of 25.
The findings indicate that lower limb strength and depressive symptoms are critical factors influencing fall risk in older Vietnamese adults with KOA. This underscores the need for incorporating strength training and mental health support into fall prevention programs tailored to this population.
These results suggest that integrating the FTSST and depression screening into routine clinical practice could enhance the effectiveness of fall prevention strategies for older adults with KOA in Vietnam, ultimately reducing the burden of falls and improving overall quality of life.
Knee osteoarthritis
Vietnamese population
