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PURPOSE: This study aimed to translate the Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire (FFABQ) into Traditional Chinese (FFABQ-TC) and to evaluate the psychometric properties of FFABQ-TC in Taiwanese adults. METHODS: We translated and culturally adapted the FFABQ into Traditional Chinese, ensuring linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance. A total of 230 Taiwanese community-dwelling adults participated in the study. Test-retest reliability was assessed in 30 participants, while 200 participants were included in the validity analysis. Known-groups validity was investigated by comparing the FFABQ-TC scores between fallers and non-fallers. Convergent validity was examined by correlating FFABQ-TC scores with Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Geriatric Fear of Falling Measure (GFFM), and Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) test. RESULTS: The FFABQ-TC demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = 0.884) and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.930). Known-groups analysis revealed that FFABQ-TC significantly differentiated between fallers and non-fallers. Convergent validity was examined and showed significant correlations of FFABQ-TC with the ABC, the GFFM, and TUG. CONCLUSION: The psychometric properties of FFABQ-TC was established in Taiwanese adults for assessing FOF-related avoidance behaviors. The translated and adapted FFABQ-TC is a reliable and valid clinical tool for evaluating fall risk in this population.
The current evidence supports the reliability and validity of the Traditional Chinese version of the Fear of Falling Avoidance Behavior Questionnaire (FFABQ-TC) in Taiwanese community-dwelling adults.FFABQ-TC is recommended as a reliable measurement to determine fall risk in clinical and research settings.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: This paper aims to investigate the influence of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the receptor of activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) gene (TNFSF11) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene (TNFRSF11B) on bone and joint injury in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Two hundred RA patients and 201 matched controls were analysed by case-control design, and their samples were genotyped. Bone mineral density (BMD) and serum OPG and RANKL levels were measured. Clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded, and the radiographic changes in both hands of RA were evaluated by Sharp's method. RESULTS: Our results showed no significant differences in the distribution frequency of the alleles and genotypes of TNFRSF11B (rs2073618 and rs3102735) and TNFSF11 (rs2277438) between the RA group and controls (p>0.05). Compared to patients with TNFSF11 (rs2277438) AA or GG genotype, RA with TNFSF11 (rs2277438) AG genotype had significantly decreased BMD values at lumbar spine 3, lumbar spine 4, lumbar spine 2-4 (p<0.05-0.01), and apparently elevated Sharp scores (p<0.05), respectively. The RA group showed significantly higher serum levels of RANKL, RANKL/OPG ratio and a lower serum level of OPG than that of the controls (p<0.05-0.0001). RA patients with RANKL-rs2277438 heterozygotic genotype (AG) had significantly increased serum levels of RANKL (p<0.05), compared to homozygotic genotype (AA or GG). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that SNP of TNFRSF11B (rs2073618 and rs3102735) and TNFSF11 (rs2277438) may not be susceptibility factors for RA in Chinese Han population. SNP of TNFSF11 (rs2277438) may have an important influence on bone and joint injury in RA.
