title: Incidence and predicting factors of falls of older inpatients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE To estimate the incidence and predicting factors associated with falls among older inpatients. METHODS Prospective cohort study conducted in clinical units of three hospitals in Cuiaba, MT, Midwestern Brazil, from March to August 2013. In this study, 221 inpatients aged 60 or over were followed until hospital discharge, death, or fall. The method of incidence density was used to calculate incidence rates. Bivariate analysis was performed by Chi-square test, and multiple analysis was performed by Cox regression. RESULTS The incidence of falls was 12.6 per 1,000 patients/day. Predicting factors for falls during hospitalization were: low educational level (RR = 2.48; 95%CI 1.17;5.25), polypharmacy (RR = 4.42; 95%CI 1.77;11.05), visual impairment (RR = 2.06; 95%CI 1.01;4.23), gait and balance impairment (RR = 2.95; 95%CI 1.22;7.14), urinary incontinence (RR = 5.67; 95%CI 2.58;12.44) and use of laxatives (RR = 4.21; 95%CI 1.15;15.39) and antipsychotics (RR = 4.10; 95%CI 1.38;12.13). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of falls of older inpatients is high. Predicting factors found for falls were low education level, polypharmacy, visual impairment, gait and balance impairment, urinary incontinence and use of laxatives and antipsychotics. Measures to prevent falls in hospitals are needed to reduce the incidence of this event.
authors.forename: Hellen Cristina de Almeida
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Abreu
authors.forename: Annelita Almeida Oliveira
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Reiners
authors.forename: Rosemeiry Capriata de Souza
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: Ageo Mário Cândido da
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Débora  Regina de Oliveira Moura
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abreu
authors.forename: Adriana  Delmondes de
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors