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. 2018 Oct 25;52Suppl 2(Suppl 2):12s.
doi: 10.11606/S1518-8787.2018052000635.

Falls among Brazilian older adults living in urban areas: ELSI-Brazil

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Wendel Rodrigo Teixeira Pimentel  1   2 , Valéria Pagotto  3 , Sheila Rizzato Stopa  4 , Maria Cristina Corrêa Lopes Hoffmann  2 , Fabíola Bof de Andrade  5   6 , Paulo Roberto Borges de Souza Junior  7 , Maria Fernanda Lima-Costa  5   6 , Ruth Losada de Menezes  1
Affiliations

Falls among Brazilian older adults living in urban areas: ELSI-Brazil

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Wendel Rodrigo Teixeira Pimentel et al. Rev Saude Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with falls in a nationally representative sample of older Brazilians residing in urban areas.

Methods: Data from 4,174 participants (60 years or older) from the baseline of ELSI-Brazil, conducted between 2015 and 2016, were used. The outcome variable was the reporting of one or more falls in the last 12 months. The exploratory variables were sociodemographic characteristics, factors related to the urban environment, and health conditions. Statistical analysis was performed using Poisson regression.

Results: The prevalence of falls was 25.1%. Of these, 1.8% resulted in a hip or femur fracture and, among them, 31.8% required surgery for prosthesis placement. Statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) with falls were observed for females [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.26], age group of 75 years or older (PR = 1.21), fear of falling due to defective sidewalks (PR = 1.47), fear of crossing streets (PR = 1.22), diabetes (PR = 1.17), arthritis or rheumatism (PR = 1.29), and depression (PR = 1.53). No significant associations were found for educational level, marital status, hypertension, and perception of violence in the neighborhood.

Conclusions: The factors associated with falls among older adults are multidimensional, comprising individual characteristics and the urban environment, which indicates the need for intra and intersectoral actions to prevent falls in this population.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a prevalência e os fatores associados a quedas em amostra nacional representativa da população idosa residente em áreas urbanas.

MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados dados de 4.174 participantes (60 anos ou mais) da linha de base do ELSI-Brasil, conduzida entre 2015 e 2016. A variável de desfecho foi o relato de uma ou mais quedas nos últimos 12 meses. As variáveis exploratórias foram características sociodemográficas, fatores relacionados ao ambiente urbano e condições de saúde. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio da regressão de Poisson.

RESULTADOS: A prevalência de quedas foi de 25,1%. Destas, 1,8% resultaram em fratura de quadril ou fêmur e, entre elas, 31,8% necessitaram de cirurgia com colocação de prótese. Após ajustes pertinentes, associações estatisticamente significantes (p < 0,05) com a ocorrência de quedas foram observadas para o sexo feminino [razão de prevalência (RP) = 1,26], faixa etária igual ou superior a 75 anos (RP = 1,21), medo de cair devido a defeitos nos passeios (RP = 1,47), medo de atravessar a rua (RP = 1,22), diabetes (RP = 1,17), artrite ou reumatismo (RP = 1,29) e depressão (RP = 1,53). Não foram observadas associações significativas para o nível de escolaridade, a situação conjugal, a hipertensão e a percepção da violência na região de vizinhança.

CONCLUSÕES: Os fatores associados às quedas entre idosos são multidimensionais, incluindo características individuais e o ambiente urbano, o que indica a necessidade de ações intra e intersetoriais para a prevenção de quedas nessa população.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure
Figure. Prevalence of one or more falls in the last 12 months, according to gender and age group. Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSI-Brazil), 2015-2016.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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