[Longitudinal study of fractures in institutionalized elderly].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of fracture incidence in the institutionalized elderly and analysis of associated risk factors.


METHODS
Longitudinal and prospective study with 3-year follow-up.


METHODS
Old people's home in Turin for patients who are no longer self-sufficient.


METHODS
197 subjects (47 males and 150 females) aged between 61-98 years old, dependent in at least two basic daily activities.


METHODS
At the time of enrollment, the following parameters were evaluated: age, weight, height, degree of walking autonomy, bone mineral density at proximal and distal radius. The number of falls and fractures were recorded during follow-up.


RESULTS
A total of 46 fractures (22 femoral and 24 in other sites) were recorded with an annual incidence of 7.8%. Femoral fractures only occurred in females. The following risk factors were associated with femoral fractures: very old age (relative risk = 2.6; 95% confidence interval = 1.1-6.4), low body mass index levels (RR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.3-8.7), low bone mineral density levels at the proximal radius (RR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.1-6.3), autonomous walking capacity (RR = 3.7; 95% CI = 1.1-12.0) and recurrent falls (RR = 2.7; 95% CI = 1.2-6.2). The following risk factors were associated with non-femoral fractures: autonomous deambulation (RR = 5.7; 95% CI = 1.4-23.7) and recurrent falls (RR = 6.4; CI = 2.3-18.3).


CONCLUSIONS
Institutionalized elderly patients present numerous risk factors for femoral fractures. Fractures in other sites are only associated with risk factors that express a tendency to fall.
Visentin
P
P
Instituto di Medicina e Chirurgia Geriatrica, Università degli Studi--Torino.
Ciravegna
R
R
Uscello
L
L
Corcelli
F
F
Fabris
F
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk
Studio longitudinale sulle fratture nell'anziano istituzionalizzato.