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.
Salvà
Antoni
A
Institut Català de l'Envelliment. Fundació Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Barcelona. Spain.
Bolíbar
Ignasi
I
Pera
Guillem
G
Arias
César
C
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