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Comparative Study
. 2006 Nov 15;38(8):450-5.
doi: 10.1157/13094802.

[Falls in the elderly in the community: prevalence, consequences, and associated factors]

[Article in Spanish]
Francisco Varas-Fabra  1 , Estrella Castro Martín, Luis Angel Pérula de Torres, María Jesús Fernández Fernández, Roger Ruiz Moral, Isabel Enciso Berge
Affiliations
Comparative Study

[Falls in the elderly in the community: prevalence, consequences, and associated factors]

[Article in Spanish]
Francisco Varas-Fabra et al. Aten Primaria. .

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Objective: To find the prevalence, characteristics, and consequences of falls in the elderly and related factors. DESIGN. Cross-sectional, descriptive study using personal interviews.

Setting: Three health districts in Cordoba city, Spain.

Participants: A stratified sample of 362 people over 70.

Main measurements: The assessment tools were the WHO questionnaire for the study of falls and the EuroQol-5D for the measurement of health-related quality of life. Uni-bivariate and multivariate analyses (P< .05) were run.

Results: The prevalence of falls was 31.78% (95% CI, 26.99%-36.6%); 12.98% of subjects had more than one fall in the previous year; 55.3% of falls happened at home; 71.8% of the falls had physical consequences, with 7.8% fractures; 44.7% of the elderly studied were scared of having a new fall, and 22% limited their mobility after the fall. In 30% of cases there was contact with the health system, and 3.3% needed hospital admission. The factors related to a greater risk of falls were: being older, being a woman, widowed, uneducated, with difficulties in moving both arms, suffering space disorientation, high drug consumption, and having worse perceived health status.

Conclusions: Falls in the elderly living in the community are a frequent problem, with important physical, psychological and social consequences.

Objetivo: Conocer la prevalencia de caídas en personas mayores así como sus características, consecuencias y factores asociados

Diseño: Estudio observacional, transversal, por entrevista personal.

Emplazamiento: Tres zonas básicas de salud de Córdoba.

Participantes: Se incluyó a 362 personas ≥ 70 años, residentes en la comunidad, elegidas por muestreo polietápico.

Mediciones principales: Se realizó una valoración consistente en el estudio de las caídas con un cuestionario específico de la Organización Mundial de la Salud, y de la calidad de vida de los pacientes con el EuroQol-5D. Se realizó un análisis univariable, bivariable y multivariable (p < 0,05).

Resultados: La prevalencia de caídas es del 31,78% (intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95%, 26,99-36,6%). Un 12,9% presentó más de una caída en el último año. El 55,3% ocurrió en el domicilio. El 71,8% sufrió lesiones físicas, con un 7,8% de fracturas. El 44,7% manifestó miedo a una nueva caída y el 22% limitó su movilidad desde la caída. El 30% contactó con el sistema sanitario, y un 3,3% precisó hospitalización. Los factores que se relacionaron con mayor riesgo de presentar caídas fueron: tener mayor edad, ser mujer, estar viudo/a, sin estudios, presentar dificultad para mover ambas extremidades superiores y orientarse en el espacio, consumir un mayor número de fármacos, y un peor estado de salud percibido.

Conclusiones: Las caídas en los ancianos que viven en la comunidad son un problema frecuente, con importantes consecuencias físicas, psicológicas y sociales.

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