Introduction

1. Introduction Geriatric fall accident is one of the leading causes of geriatric morbidity and mortality globally. With the rapid growing of elderly populations, fall prevention has been highlighted in the past years. Fall risks are classically categorized into individual factors and environmental factors. However, little was known about topographic difference on risk of falls. Keelung is an harbor city in northern coast of Taiwan that more than 90 percent of the land was covered with hills. There are only small plains near the sea and around valleys. Therefore, large percent of the residents in Keelung live on hills. We conducted this study to investigate whether topographic difference plays a role on physical performance, and risk of falls. Methods Subjects 215 males and 255 female residents of Keelung were recruited between Sep 2007 to May 2008. All subjects were aged at least 65 years old and were ambulatory either freely or with walking aids. Subjects who were severe physically compromised that failed to ambulate were excluded. Measurements General profiles, laboratory examinations, and Self-administered questionnaires about fall risk factors and fall histories in the past one year were obtained. Physical performance of each subject was evaluated with 3 meters Timed Get-Up and Go test. Criteria of normal balance and mobility function is to complete the task within 10 second. Environmental measurements were assessed with Google Contour Map, obtaining all subjects’ residential height above see level, and also the slopes of their living neighborhood. Statistical Analysis Statistical procedures will be assessed with SPSS 16.0 for windows. Independent t-test was performed to determine the difference of general health profiles between groups. Logistic regression was performed in multivariate analysis of physical performance and fall risks. Results Topographic Influence on Physical Performance and Fall Risks in the ElderlyPei-Ying Chao Pau-Chung Chen Tsun-Jen ChengInstitute of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Hygiene, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan <Table 1> Table of basic demographics, chronic conditions, fall experience and fall factors according to residential altitude. a. t-test performed between two sex in each category b. t-tes performed between residential groups, residential height within 20meters were set as reference (significance level p<0.05, labeled as * ) <Table 2> Logistic regression analysis for physical performance <Table3> Logistic regression analysis for risk of falls Conclusion From this study, better physical performance was observed in residents living at higher altitudes and also more hilly environments in Keelung city. This is possibly because the increased daily physical demands is always required in these environments thus better fitness and physical performance is obtained. On the other hand, fall risks were higher among residents of higher altitudes, but were not significantly influenced by hilly neighborhoods in this study. Further information of fall histories and indoor-environment evaluation may be required for further investigations.