| Title: | Association between falls and dementia risk: Evidence from three cohort studies |
| Journal: | Journal of Translational Internal Medicine |
| Published: | 1 Dec 2025 |
| Pubmed: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41438467/ |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1515/jtim-2025-0057 |
| URL: | https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/jtim-2025-0057/pdf |
Publication 16732
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Abstract
Background and Objectives: The relationship between falls and dementia risk remains unclear. This study aims to investigate this association and assess the impact of genetic risk on this relationship.</p>
Methods: We included 265,416, 5,506, and 948 participants from the United Kingdom (UK) Biobank, China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), and Xuanwu cognitive cohort. A Cox model and logistic regression analysis were used to estimate the relationship between falls and dementia risk.</p>
Results: Falls showed significant associations with an elevated risk of dementia in both UK Biobank (single falls: Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.22, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.13-1.31; multiple falls: HR 1.73, 95% CI: 1.58-1.89), CHARLS cohorts (falls: HR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.11-1.50) and Xuanwu cognitive cohort (single falls: OR 1.72, 95% CI: 1.18-2.50; multiple falls: OR 1.89, 95% CI: 1.17-3.02). In addition, the results showed that falls were associated with cognitive decline during follow-up. Those who experienced single falls demonstrated reduced whole-brain gray matter volume (β = -1276.031, P = 0.029) and parahippocampal gyrus volume (βleft = -22.410, P = 0.011; βright = -31.570, P = 0.001), whereas those experienced multiple falls, in addition to these findings, demonstrated increased deep white matter hyperintensities (β = 123.146, P = 0.004) and decreased gray matter volume in the hippocampus (βleft = -18.440, P = 0.002; βright = -20.599, P = 0.001) and parahippocampal gyrus volume (βleft = -48.805, P < 0.001; βright = -58.263, P < 0.001). Furthermore, falls and polygenic risk scores (PRSs) showed a significant interaction (P = 0.001), with higher dementia risk observed in individuals with multiple falls and high genetic risk.</p>
Conclusions: Falls are an early sign of dementia risk, and genetic susceptibility facilitates this association. Falls indicate potential atrophy in cognition-related brain regions. Falls are a simple and easily observable sign for dementia screening.</p>
9 Authors
- Aonan Li
- Shaojiong Zhou
- Jie Chang
- Tao Wei
- Bo Zhao
- Yiwei Zhao
- Zhibin Wang
- Yi Xing
- Yi Tang
1 Application
| Application ID | Title |
|---|---|
| 92098 | Investigating the genetics, lifestyles, environmental and clinical determinants and their interaction on Aging-Related Diseases |
Enabling scientific discoveries that improve human health