Frailty Transitions and Work-Related Falls: A Prospective Cohort Study Among Older Workers.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine longitudinal associations between changes in frailty status and risk of work-related falls among older workers. A prospective cohort study was conducted on Japanese workers aged 60-75 years in a tertiary industry. Frailty was assessed using the Frailty Screening Index at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Participants were categorized into the following four groups: stable nonfrail, frailty recovery, newly frail, and persistently frail. Work-related falls in the past 12 months were self-reported at the 2-year follow-up visit. The persistently frail group was significantly associated with a higher risk of falls; frailty recovery was not associated with increased risk. Newly frail participants exhibited a trend toward increased falls, although the difference was not statistically significant. Frailty management is an essential part of work-related fall-prevention strategies for older workers.