Fall-induced wounds and lacerations in older Finns between 1970 and 2014

Abstract

Background: Fall-induced injuries in elderly people are a growing public health issue.

Aim: We aimed to determine the current trends in the fall-induced severe wounds and lacerations among older adults in Finland-an EU country with a well-defined Caucasian population of 5.5 million.

Methods: The injury trends were assessed by taking into account all persons 80 years of age or older who were admitted to Finnish hospitals for primary treatment of these injuries during 1970-2014.

Results: The number of fall-induced severe wounds and lacerations among 80-year-old or older Finnish adults showed a sharp increase during the 44-year follow-up, from 52 in 1970 to 1393 in 2014. The age-adjusted incidence of injury (per 100,000 persons) also showed a clear rise from 1970 to 2014: from 98.3 to 511.5 in women, and from 92.0 to 395.3 in men. In both sexes, the increase was greatest in the oldest age group (persons 90 years of age or older).

Conclusions: The number of fall-induced severe wounds and lacerations among older Finnish persons rose in 1970-2014 with a rate that could not be explained merely by demographic changes. Further studies should focus on detailed understanding of the reasons for the rise and assessing possibilities for fall and injury prevention.

Keywords: Falls; Older adults; Wounds and lacerations.