Falls in aged people of the Chinese mainland: epidemiology, risk factors and clinical strategies

Abstract

Falls are a common and serious problem for aged people, causing an enormous amount of morbidity, mortality and burden to both the immediate family and the society in terms of healthcare utilization and costs. In the Chinese mainland, epidemiological data indicates a predilection for single falls, with women more at risk than men. A variety of risk factors such as weakness, unsteady gait, mental confusion and use of certain medications are associated with falls in the elderly. Addressing these risk factors can be expected to reduce rates of falling. Targeted fall risk assessments are the most effective preventive procedures, and include a plethora of assessment instruments that have been developed and designed for different purposes over the decades. Strategies for control of elderly falls have been established differently, taking into account the complex physiological and pathological conditions of the elderly. The optimal approach involves interdisciplinary assessments, physical exercise, medical intervention, environmental inspection and hazard abatement. In China, the 25 million falls suffered annually by the estimated 20 million elderly population exacts direct medical costs of about 5 billion yuan and social costs of 60-80 billion yuan. Fall-prevention strategies will thus have profound social and economic benefits.