Incidence and consequences of falls among elderly people living in the community.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the incidence of falls according to socio-demographic and health factors, and to determine their physical, psychological and social consequences. SUBJETS AND METHOD: Population-based prospective study, which included a representative cohort of 448 elderly community-dwellers, aged 65 or more living in the city of Mataró (Spain). We made a baseline evaluation, which was repeated after a one-year follow up, consisting of a standardized questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, physical activity, tests of physical and cognitive function, history of falls during the previous year, the Falls Efficacy Scale, and associated chronic conditions. Follow-up interviews at intervals of one month over 12 months, consisting of a standardized questionnaire aimed at detecting and describing any fall occurred during the previous month.


RESULTS
25.1% (95% CI, 18.8-31.4) of males and 37.0% (95% CI, 31.2-42.8) of females fell. Multiple falls were observed in 3.8% of men and 10.9% of women. 203 falls were reported, providing a crude incidence rate of 30.9 falls per 100 men-years (95% CI, 23.3-41.0) and 56.5 falls per 100 women-years (95% CI, 46.5-68.8). A positive association with falls was found with age, reduced physical and cognitive function, associated chronic conditions and previous falls. 71.1% of falls had physical consequences, with 7.7% of fractures, and 21.7% needed medical aid. 64.4% of fallers feared of falling again.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study shows a pattern of high incidence of falls among the elderly living in the Spanish non-institutionalized community. Our data confirm that adverse consequences derived from the falls are frequent and often severe, which makes falls one of the major problems of elderly people.
Institut Català de l'Envelliment. Fundació Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Barcelona. Spain.
Antoni
A
Salvà
Ignasi
I
Bolíbar
Guillem
G
Pera
César
C
Arias
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors