This is a presentation of a study abstract titled Physical Function and Fatigue in Community Dwelling Older Adults with High Fall Risk. The study objectives included, number one, to quantify the physical function and fatigue level in community dwelling older adults with high fall risk, and number two, to investigate correlations of their physical function with fatigue level and other WHO ICF body function components, such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance, and with clinician-derived performance-based assessments. The design is a retrospective cross-sectional study in a PM&R outpatient clinic. Twenty-five community dwelling older adults were identified as having high fall risk, which is defined as a CDC-steady score of greater than or equal to four and having gait and or balance deficits. The main outcome measures included the promised 29 version 2.0 physical function subscale, which quantified physical function, and the fatigue subscale measured their fatigue level. Other studied body functions included sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression subscales of the promised 29 version 2.0. The clinician-derived performance-based assessments included the six-minute walk test as a measure for gait speed, the Berg Balance Scale for balance coordination, the Dynamic Gait Index for endurance power, dynamometer for strength, and skeletal muscle index measured by bioelectric impedance analyses for muscle composition. The results showed that their physical function positively correlated with age and the Dynamic Gait Index, while fatigue positively correlated with anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance. The steady score negatively correlated with age, physical function, and Dynamic Gait Index. Our conclusions showed that individuals with community-dwelling adults with high fall risk tend to have severely low physical function, have mild fatigue, and be clinically slow. Their physical function is significantly associated with age and power and endurance, while their fatigue is associated with other body functions, such as mood and sleep disturbance. This study supports the importance of studying interrelationships of fall risk with other WHO ICF components, such as body functions and activity limitations, when assessing falls in older adults. Future research is needed to determine interrelationships between body function and physical function in other geriatric syndromes, such as osteoporosis. Thank you.

physical function

fatigue levels

older adults

correlation

geriatric syndromes