Association of pain and risk of falls in community-dwelling adults: a prospective study in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE)

Key Summary Points Aim To explore the longitudinal associations between pain characteristics at baseline and subsequent falls risks, at 2-year follow-up, in community-dwelling adults aged ≥ 50 years, in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Findings Higher intensity of pain and number of pain sites at baseline were associated with an increased risk of subsequent falls in community-dwelling adults, in a dose–response way, independent of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. The strength of the association between pain intensity and falls risk varied by age, being greater in middle-aged adults. Message The association between pain intensity and falls risk is of greater clinical significance in middle-aged adults versus older adults.