[The prevalence of and factors associated with falls in older persons living in the community].
BACKGROUND
To describe falls in urban community elderly people and to identify factors associated with their occurrence.


METHODS
Data from an age and sex stratified sample of the elderly people living in Leganes (n = 1183). Potentially associated factors are explored in bivariate analyses and a multivariate logistic regression analysis. The variables are entered into the equations in the causal order hypothesized.


RESULTS
14% of the elderly persons in Leganes reported at least a fall in the previous twelve months, 41% of them had consequences, 19% ended in hospitalization. In the bivariate analyses significant positive associations were found with being older than 65, female, widowhood, having more than six chronic conditions, functional limitations in lower extremities, disability, urinary incontinence and sleep problems. In the multivariate model independent associations were observed for females, functional limitations of the lower extremities, cognitive deficit, visual impairment, urinary incontinence and sleep problems.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of falls in the elderly population in Leganes, Madrid, is approximately half of that reported in international studies using similar methodology. However, associations with known risk factors are confirmed in our population. The association between falls and difficulties in falling asleep found in this study should be confirmed by others.
Méndez Rubio
J I
JI
Centro Universitario de Salud Pública, Madrid.
Zunzunegui
M V
MV
Béland
F
F
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Prevalencia y factores asociados a las caídas en las personas mayores que viven en la comunidad.