Global prevalence of falls among older adults with cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Bushi G 1 , Gaidhane S 2 , Balaraman AK 3 , Padmapriya G 4 , Kaur I 5 , Lal M 6 Show all authors , Iqbal S 7 , Prasad GVS 8 , Pramanik A 9 , Vishwakarma T 10 , Malik P 11 , Sharma P 12 , Punia A 13 , Jagga M 14 , Singh MP 15 , Lingamaiah D 16 , Shabil M 17 , Mehta R 18 , Sah S 19 , Zahiruddin QS 20

Affiliations 

  • 1 School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India. Electronic address: ganeshbushi313@gmail.com
  • 2 One Health Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha, India
  • 3 Research and Enterprise, University of Cyberjaya, Persiaran Bestari, Cyber 11, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 4 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • 5 Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303012, India
  • 6 Department of Medicine, NIMS University, Jaipur, India
  • 7 Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of College, Jhanjeri, Mohali 140307, Punjab, India
  • 8 Department of Chemistry, Raghu Engineering College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 531162, India
  • 9 School of Applied and Life Sciences, Division of Research and Innovation, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
  • 10 IES Institute of Pharmacy, IES University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh 462044, India
  • 11 New Delhi Institute of Management, Delhi, India
  • 12 Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), Clement Town Dehradun 248002, India
  • 13 Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140417, Punjab, India
  • 14 Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh 174103, India
  • 15 Research and Enterprise, University of Cyberjaya, Persiaran Bestari, Cyber 11, 63000 Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
  • 16 Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, India
  • 17 University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India; Medical Laboratories Techniques Department, AL-Mustaqbal University, 51001 Hillah, Babil, Iraq
  • 18 Clinical Microbiology, RDC, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana 121004, India; Dr Lal PathLabs - Nepal, Chandol-4, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
  • 19 Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed-to-be-University), Pimpri, Pune 411018, Maharashtra, India; Department of Medicine, Korea Universtiy, Seoul, South Korea
  • 20 South Asia Infant Feeding Research Network, Division of Evidence Synthesis, Global Consortium of Public Health and Research, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha, India. Electronic address: zahirquazi@dmiher.edu.in
J Geriatr Oncol, 2025 Feb 15;16(3):102202.
PMID: 39955892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2025.102202

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Falls are a significant health concern among older adults, particularly those with cancer, due to aging-related frailty, treatment-related adverse effects, and comorbidities. Existing reviews have highlighted the burden of falls in this population; however, the absence of a comprehensive meta-analysis to synthesize pooled results from relevant studies has limited the generalizability of their findings. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the global prevalence of falls among older adults with cancer and provide evidence to guide prevention efforts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases was conducted through October 2024, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies reporting fall prevalence in patients with cancer aged 65 years or older were included. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS: Seventy-six studies, including 177,212 participants, met the inclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of falls was 24 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 20; 28), with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 100 %). Fall prevalence increased with follow-up duration: short-term 12 % (95 % CI, 5.2; 28.4), medium-term 23 % (95 % CI, 18.9; 29.5), and long-term 54 % (95 % CI, 14.9; 89.1) studies (p = 0.13). Older adults with breast cancer had the highest prevalence of falls at 31 % (95 % CI, 17; 48), while patients with colorectal cancer had the lowest at 15 % (95 % CI, 1; 78) (P ≤0.001). Fall prevalence ranged from 19 % in Australia to 24 % in North America (p = 0.89).

DISCUSSION: Falls are frequent among older adults with cancer, with prevalence varying by cancer type, geographic region, and follow-up duration.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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