Serum vitamin D levels and fall risk in adults: A cross-sectional study using the morse fall scale

AIMS: This study aimed to examine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and fall risk assessed using the Morse Fall Scale (MFS). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 131 hospitalized adults. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured after admission, and fall risk was assessed using the MFS. Participants were classified as having low, moderate, or high fall risk. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with high fall risk. RESULTS: Among 131 participants, 4, 15, and 112 were classified as having low, moderate, and high fall risk, respectively. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations differed across the three groups (p = 0.003) and were lowest in the high-risk group. In the adjusted model, each 1-nmol/L increase in serum 25(OH)D was associated with lower odds of high fall risk (adjusted OR = 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.96; p < 0.001), whereas older age was associated with higher odds (adjusted OR = 1.07 per year, 95% CI 1.02-1.13; p = 0.01). Sex was not independently associated with high fall risk (p = 0.79). CONCLUSIONS: Lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations and older age were independently associated with high MFS-defined fall risk in this hospitalized cross-sectional sample. Prospective studies are needed to determine temporality and whether correcting vitamin D deficiency reduces subsequent falls.