[Incidence and risk factors for accidental falls among general practice elderly patients in Latina, Central Italy].
BACKGROUND
falls incidence in home resident elderly people varies from 30% to 40%. Falls induce loss of self-sufficiency and increase mortality and morbidity.


OBJECTIVE
to evaluate falls incidence and risk factors in a group of general practice elderly patients.


METHODS
prospective cohort study with 1 year follow-up.


METHODS
18 practitioners visited their elderly patients (>75 years) for a baseline assessment. Information on current pathologies and previous falls in the last six months was collected. Functional status was evaluated using: Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire, Geriatric Depression Scale, Activities of Daily Living, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Total mobility Tinetti score was measured in a subgroup of elderly. Falls were monitored through 2 phone-interviews at 6 and 12 months. Data were analyzed through logistic regression.


RESULTS
1168 elderly were visited and 800 were enrolled in the study. Twenty-eight percent of the elderly fell in the whole period. Sixty percent of falls were not reported to the practitioner. Independent predictors for falls were ADL score (ADL<5: OR 1.90; 95% CI 1.05-3.45), falls occurred in the 6 months previous to the follow-up period (OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.03-2.54) and the interaction term among this factor and the follow-up period (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.22-4.72). Tinetti score was significantly associated to falls only in univariate analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Practitioners can play a key-role in identifying at-risk subjects and managing prevention interventions. Falls monitoring and a continuous practice of comprehensive geriatric assessment should be encouraged.
Capon
Alessandra
A
Laziosanità--Agenzia di sanità pubblica, Roma. capon@asplazio.it
Di Lallo
Domenico
D
Mastromattei
Antonio
A
Pavoni
Noemi
N
Simeoni
Siro
S
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005194:Family Practice; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy; D016015:Logistic Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires