Higher levels of lead and aluminium are associated with increased risk of falls among community-dwelling older adults: An 18-month follow-up study.

AIM The present study aims to determine the association of trace elements and oxidative and DNA damage biomarkers with fall incidence among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS This study is part of the Long-term Research Grant Scheme - Towards Useful Ageing cohort study in Malaysia. Of a total of 174 participants with complete trace elements and oxidative and DNA damage data during baseline, only 147 (84.5%) were successfully followed up after 18 months. Participants who experienced any fall events in the previous 18 months during the follow-up were categorized as fallers. RESULTS Thirty participants (20.4%) reported at least one fall in the previous 18 months. The mean concentrations of aluminium, lead and zinc were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in fallers than non-fallers. However, in comparison with the non-faller group, the percentage of DNA in tail (11.43 ± 4.10% vs. 13.22 ± 5.24%) and tail moment (1.19 ± 0.54 AU vs. 1.59 ± 0.78 AU) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the faller group. No significant difference in serum superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehyde level was observed between non-fallers and fallers. Following multifactorial adjustments, higher aluminium (odds ratio [OR]: 1.007; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.002-1.011) and lead (OR: 1.162; 95% CI: 1.010-1.336) levels and lower tail moment scores (OR: 0.313; 95% CI: 0.138-0.709) appeared significant in the final hierarchical binary logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS Higher levels of lead and aluminium were associated with increased risk of falls among community-dwelling older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; ••: ••-••.