SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH FEAR OF FALLING IN KNOWN FALLERS. Roberta A. Newton* Physical Therapy, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if significant associations occur between select sociodemographic and functional characteristics, and fear of falling in primarily minority community dwelling older adults. BACKGROUNDS/SIGNIFICANCE: Fear of falling is a recognized health concern leading to disability and increased risk of falls. Estimates of fear of falling in community dwelling older adults range from 20-55% for those who have not fallen and is higher for those who have fallen. Recognizing FOF and providing strategies to reduce this fear may improve functional mobility and quality of life for older adults. SUBJECTS: 204 adults who were admitted to the Emergency Department for a fall: 89% were African American, 75% were female. The mean age was 76 (7.4) years. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Health and activity status measures included: sociodemographic questionnaire, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Physical Activity Scale for Elderly (PASE) and Activities Specific Balance Scale (ABC). Balance and functional mobility were assessed by the Multidirectional Reach Test (MDRT), Berg Balance Test (BBT), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Six Minute Walk (SMWT) and Gait Stability Ratio (GSR). ANALYSES: Bivariate correlations were used to assess the association amongst the ABC score and functional performance and activity levels. Subjects with scores < 50% confidence on the ABC scale were classified as fearful, and those with scores > 50% on the ABC scale were considered not fearful. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated using logistic regression for those who were fearful compared to those who were not fearful. RESULTS: Group means of balance and mobility tests of known fallers were below published values of community dwelling older adults. A cut score of 50 on the Activities Specific Balance Scale divided the group into those who were fearful (n=62) and those who were not fearful (n=136) of falling. Factors associated with increased fear in these fallers (p <.05) included: mood (OR =.79; CI: 0.67-0.94); SF-36 (OR =1.0; CI: 1.003-1.03); BMI (OR =0.9; CI: 0.84-0.97); Multi-Directional Reach Test - Backward Direction (OR =1.3; CI: 1.02-1.60); Six Minute Walk Test (OR =.1.0; CI: 1.001-1.02). CONCLUSIONS: Fear of falling is greater among minority older adult fallers and is associated with low mood scores, decreased walking endurance and decreased confidence when moving in directions of lesser stability (backward lean of MDRT). Older adults seen in the Emergency Room for a fall should be referred for further testing and receive intervention strategies to reduce their fear of falling, improve their mood and functional mobility through physical activity and environmental interventions. FUNDING SOURCE: Funded in part NIH RO1-AG1633 KEYWORDS: elderly, outcomes, balance, falls, fear of falling Copyright 2009 by the American Physical Therapy Association. Requests for reprints should be directed to the corresponding author of the article. Educators, students, and other academic customers may receive permission to reprint copyrighted material from Physical Therapy (ISSN 1538-6724) by contacting the Copyright Clearance Center Inc, 222 Rosewood Dr, Danvers, MA 01923. Other types of customers who want permission to reprint should contact the APTA Editorial Office, Attn: Physical Therapy.