Korean J Adult Nurs.  2024 Feb;36(1):63-73. 10.7475/kjan.2024.36.1.63.

The Impact of Physical Performance and Fear of Falling on Fall Risk in Hemodialysis Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Choi J
• Hwang SK

• KMID: 2553571
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2024.36.1.63

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the impact of physical performance and fear of falling on fall risk in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis.
Methods
This study included 132 patients who regularly received hemodialysis treatment at outpatient clinics in B City from January to April 2022. Data were collected on demographic and clinical characteristics, physical performance (the Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]), fear of falling (the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale-International [KFES-I]), and fall risk (the Morse Fall Scale [MFS]). The collected data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression in the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program.
Results
Thirty-eight patients (28.8%) had experienced accidental falls in the past year, with an average of 1.68 falls per patient. The average SPPB score was 7.89±3.55 (range, 0 to 12), the KFES-I score was 23.18±9.36 (range, 16 to 64), and the MFS score was 45.68±19.52 (range, 0 to 125). Fall risk showed a significant negative correlation with physical function (r=-.72, p<.001) and a significant positive correlation with fear of falling (r=.65, p<.001). Factors affecting the patients' fall risk included the level of serum intact parathyroid hormone (β=.15, p=.004), fear of falling (β=.24, p=.010), number of falls (β=.34, p<.001), and physical performance (β=-.41, p<.001). The regression model was statistically significant (F=22.71, p<.001), with an explanatory power of 64.9%.
Conclusion
To prevent accidental falls in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment, it is necessary to develop and apply interventions that can enhance physical performance and reduce the fear of falling.

Keyword

Accidental falls; Physical functional performance; Renal dialysis; Risk assessment