[Characteristics of falls among free living elders].
BACKGROUND
Falls by older adults are a frequent problem among ambulatory patients in primary care.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the prevalence and features of falls among elders consulting to an ambulatory Geriatric Clinic.


METHODS
Persons aged 60 years or more were surveyed about the number of falls in the preceding six months, the characteristics and consequences of each falls. Biopsychosocial characteristics were recorded and the Tinetti gait and balance test was performed in all patients reporting falls.


RESULTS
In 104 (18.2%) of 571 clinical consultations, one or more falls were reported. Among patients who fell and provided complete data (n = 95), 64% reported one fall and 36% reported two or more, totaling 156 falls to analyze. The mean age of the patients with falls was 71.8 +/- 6.8 years. The functional and cognitive status was normal in 73 and 71.6% of cases respectively and 38% carried out periodical physical activity. Fifty seven percent of falls occurred outside of home, and an extrinsic factor was a precipitating cause in 55% of the falls. A post-fall syndrome appeared in 21% of cases and 2.6% resulted in fractures. Falling two or more times versus one time during the last six months was statistically associated with an age over 75, an absence of periodic physical activity, functional impairments, three or more chronic diseases, neurological diseases and with living alone, among other variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Falls among elders occur mainly outside of home, in subjects older than 75 years old, functionally dependent and with an important involvement of extrinsic factors. Physical activity, as well as the control of environmental risks, could be protective factors against recurrent falls.
González
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Programa de Geriatría y Gerontología, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. giselag@ctcreuna.cl
Marín
P P
PP
Pereira
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G
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors