title: Analysis of extrinsic and intrinsic factors that predispose elderly individuals to fall.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In a sample of elderly individuals from Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil, to analyze the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that predispose them to the risk of falls and fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included a random sample of 267 elderly individuals, to whom two balance tests were applied: the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). The elderly also answered a questionnaire (13 questions divided into four categories) on sociodemographic and health factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Elderly individuals from both genders (76.8% women), aged between 60 and 90 years (mean = 70.22 years, SD = ± 7.30 years) participated in the study. A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found between age, self-perception of eyesight, type of dwelling, last monthly income, and the FRT; the same was found between age range, self-rated health (p < 0.001) and the TUG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was identified that, in the sample of elderly individuals living in Porto Alegre - RS, Brazil, the intrinsic factors that predispose to the risk of falls and fractures are older age, poor self-perception of eyesight, and poor selfrated health; the extrinsic factors are type of dwelling (living in a house) and a monthly income < one minimum wage.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sionara Tamanini de
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: Cristina Loureiro Chaves
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Soldera
authors.forename: Geraldo Attilio de
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Carli
authors.forename: Irênio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Thais de Lima
authors.initials: Tde L
authors.lastname: Resende
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires