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. 2020 Dec 16:54:141.
doi: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2020054002579. eCollection 2020.

Accidental falls in middle-aged women

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Lígia Raquel Ortiz Gomes Stolt  1   2 , Daniel Vieira Kolish  3 , Maria Regina Alves Cardoso  4 , Clarice Tanaka  2   5   6 , Erika Flauzino Silva Vasconcelos  7 , Elaine Cristina Pereira  7 , Máyra Cecilia Dellú  8 , Wendry Maria Paixão Pereira  7 , José Mendes Aldrighi  9 , Ana Carolina Basso Schmitt  2   5
Affiliations

Accidental falls in middle-aged women

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Lígia Raquel Ortiz Gomes Stolt et al. Rev Saude Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of accidental falls in women and to identify possible associations of sociodemographic, clinical and lifestyle variables with falls, in 2007 and 2014.

Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were performed, in 2007 and 2014, within the Projeto de Saúde de Pindamonhangaba (PROSAPIN - Pindamonhangaba Health Project), with women aged between 35 to 75 years. Probabilistic samples were selected among women living in the municipality and participating in the Health Family Strategy. Data collection included: face-to-face interview, anthropometric examination and blood test. The outcome variable "have you fallen in the last six months?" was raised during the interview. The prevalence of falls in 2007 and 2014 were estimated by score with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to identify the association of independent variables with the occurrence of falls for each year based on the odds ratio (OR). We used the Stata 14.0 software for statistical analysis.

Results: The prevalence of accidental falls were: 17.6% (95%CI 14.9-20.5) in 2007 and 17.2% (95%CI 14.8-19.8) in 2014. In 2007, factors associated with falls were: aged 50-64 years (OR = 1.81; 95%CI 1.17-2.80), high school (OR = 1.76; 95%CI 1.06-2.93), hyperuricemia (OR = 3.74; 95%CI 2.17-6.44), depression (OR = 2.07; 95%CI 1.31-3.27), poor sleep (OR = 1.78; 95%CI 1.12-2.82) and daytime sleepiness (OR = 1.86; 95%CI 1.16-2.99). In 2014, they were: aged 50-64 years (OR = 1.64; 95%CI 1.04-2.58), hyperuricemia (OR = 1.91; 95%CI 1.07-3.43) and depression (OR = 1.56; 95%CI 1.02-2.38), plus metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.60; 95%CI 1.03-2.47) and musculoskeletal pain (OR = 1.81; 95%CI 1.03-3.18).

Conclusions: Falls occur significantly in women aged 50 years or over, indicating that they are not restricted to older adults and that there is a need to initiate preventive measures earlier. Both studies showed similar magnitudes of occurrence of accidental falls and reinforced their multifactorial nature. In addition, hyperuricemia may be a potential new factor associated with falls.

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência de quedas acidentais em mulheres e identificar possíveis associações de variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e de hábitos de vida com as quedas, em 2007 e 2014.

MÉTODOS: Foram realizados dois estudos transversais, em 2007 e 2014, dentro do Projeto de Saúde de Pindamonhangaba (PROSAPIN), com mulheres com idades variando de 35 a 75 anos. As amostras probabilísticas foram selecionadas dentre as mulheres residentes no município e participantes da Estratégia Saúde da Família. A coleta de dados incluiu: entrevista face a face, exame antropométrico e exame sanguíneo. A variável de desfecho “Sofreu queda nos últimos seis meses?” foi levantada durante a entrevista. Foram estimadas as prevalências de quedas em 2007 e 2014 por ponto e intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%). Modelos de regressão logística múltipla foram construídos para identificar a associação das variáveis independentes e a ocorrência de quedas para cada ano a partir da odds ratio (OR). Utilizou-se o software Stata 14.0 para análise estatística.

RESULTADOS: As prevalências de quedas acidentais foram: 17,6% (IC95% 14,9–20,5) em 2007 e 17,2% (IC95% 14,8–19,8) em 2014. Em 2007 os fatores associados a quedas foram: idade de 50–64 anos (OR = 1,81; IC95% 1,17–2,80), ensino médio (OR = 1,76; IC95% 1,06–2,93), hiperuricemia (OR = 3,74; IC95% 2,17–6,44), depressão (OR = 2,07; IC95% 1,31–3,27), sono ruim (OR = 1,78; IC95% 1,12–2,82) e sonolência diurna (OR = 1,86; IC95% 1,16–2,99). Em 2014 permaneceram: idade de 50–64 anos (OR = 1,64; IC95% 1,04–2,58), hiperuricemia (OR = 1,91; IC95% 1,07–3,43) e depressão (OR = 1,56; IC95% 1,02–2,38), acrescidos da síndrome metabólica (OR = 1,60; IC95% 1,03–2,47) e da dor musculoesquelética (OR = 1,81; IC95% 1,03–3,18).

CONCLUSÕES: As quedas ocorrem de maneira importante em mulheres a partir dos 50 anos, indicando que não são restritas a idosos e que há necessidade de iniciar medidas preventivas mais precocemente. Os dois estudos mostraram magnitudes semelhantes de ocorrência de quedas acidentais e reforçaram sua multifatorialidade. Além disso, a hiperuricemia pode ser um potencial novo fator associado a quedas.

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Conflict of interest statement

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

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Estimated sample participating in the PROSAPIN in 2007 and 2014.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Prevalence of fall accidents in women of the PROSAPIN in 2007 and 2014.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Causes (A) and consequences (B) of fall accidents in women of the PROSAPIN in 2007 and 2014.
Figura 1
Figura 1. Amostra estimada e participante do PROSAPIN em 2007 e 2014.
Prevalência (IC95%): 2007: 17,6% (14,9–20,5); 2014: 17,2% (14,8–19,8)
Figura 2
Figura 2. Prevalências dos acidentes por quedas nas mulheres do PROSAPIN em 2007 e 2014.
Figura 3
Figura 3. Causas (A) e consequências (B) dos acidentes por quedas nas mulheres do PROSAPIN em 2007 e 2014.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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