title: Prevalence of sensory and cognitive disabilities and falls, and their relationships: a community-based study.
abstract: This study assessed the prevalence of sensory and cognitive disabilities and falls for various age groups, sexes, and socio-occupational categories, and their associations in the Lorraine population. The sample included 6,159 subjects, aged 15 years or more, randomly selected from the Lorraine population. They filled in a mailed questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics, job, falls with physical injuries at the time of the survey, and sensory and cognitive disabilities. Data analysis was made via the adjusted odds ratios. The prevalences of sensory and cognitive disabilities were 3.0 and 4.7%, respectively, that of falls with physical injuries 2.4%: 1.2% for falls on the same level and 1.2% for falls to a lower level. Subjects aged over 70 were markedly affected, but the other age groups had relatively high prevalences as well; the workmen had the highest prevalence, followed by the foremen, farmers, craftsmen and tradesmen, and employees. A twofold risk independently of age, sex and job was found for the subjects with sensory or cognitive disabilities for all falls combined. These findings show the high prevalences of sensory and cognitive disabilities and falls with physical injuries, and their strong associations in the general population. Preventive measures are needed to detect and follow up the persons with these disabilities, limit their risk of falls and reduce occupational hazards.
authors.affiliation: Inserm, U420, IFR25-RFRH, Faculty of Medicine, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
authors.forename: Gérome C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Gauchard
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deviterne
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guillemin
authors.forename: Jésus
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.forename: Philippe P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Perrin
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mur
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ravaud
authors.forename: Nearkasen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chau
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors