[Factors related to falls of elderly women residents in a community].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the factors related to falls of a group of independent and autonomous elderly women.


METHODS
This was a descriptive study of 83 elderly women enrolled on the Elderly Health Promotion Project at the Universidade Católica de Brasília. They replied to questionnaires on their age, sociodemographic factors, dizziness, use of continuous medication, self-perception of health and vision and underwent the Yesavage Geriatric Depression Scale, Functional Reach Test and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment.


RESULTS
No statistical relationship was identified between age, social demographic factors, dizziness, or negative self-perception of health and vision and fall phenomena. However there was a significant statistical relationship with the Functional Reach Test and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment.


CONCLUSIONS
Elderly women's ability to balance was the major factor related to fall events. Functional Reach Test and Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment were considered effective for predicting risk of falling, indicating that they could be used for assessment and identification of improved balance after training
Gai
Juliana
J
Universidade Católica de Brasília.
Gomes
Lucy
L
Nóbrega
Otávio de Toledo
Ode T
Rodrigues
Marcelo Palmeira
MP
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors