Pluijm (2006) applied a multifactorial approach with
10- and 3-year follow-ups, respectively [21,22]. Anstey
(2006) employed an 8-year prospective design in studying
the relation between cognitive performance and falls
[23]. Besides these, to our knowledge, few long-term,
multifactorial prospective cohort studies on risk factors
for falls in the general elderly population have been carried
out. Such long-term prospective studies are vital if
we are to understand the processes behind falling, to be
able to predict and define groups at risk, and to improve
the design of future clinical trials [18]. As the first step
in an effective intervention programme may be identifying
risk factors for falls, their identification in a longterm
perspective may be vital in future interventions
aimed at a stable, long-term reduction of falls.