title: Fall-related injuries in Amsterdam: Frail older women at risk.
abstract: Unintentional falls are a common cause of injury, especially among older persons. This study evaluates risk factors such as gender and age on morbidity and mortality after unintentional falls. Data were collected retrospectively for patients with a unintentional fall who were presented to the emergency department in 2013. A total of 3,217 patients were included; the majority were female. Patients over 65 years of age had a significant higher mortality and a longer length of hospital stay. Older women are at risk for sustaining a fall-related injury. Female gender is furthermore associated with increased length of stay in the hospital. Prevention should focus especially on these frail patients.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annelieke Maria Karien
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Harmsen
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rosa María
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Egea-Gámez
authors.affiliation: b Department of Surgery , Amstelland Hospital , Amstelveen , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frank P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Garssen
authors.affiliation: c Department of Surgery , Slotervaart Hospital , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Dulken
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toor
authors.affiliation: a Department of Surgery , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frank Willem
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Bloemers
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Accidental falls; older persons; risk factors