Factors associated with falls in older adults in chile. Analysis of the National Health Survey 2009-2010

Ana María Leiva; Claudia Troncoso-Pantoja; María Adela Martínez-Sanguinetti; Fanny, Petermann-Rocha; Felipe Poblete-Valderrama; Igor Cigarroa-Cuevas; Carlos Celis-Morales

Keywords: aged, accidental falls, hearing loss, Vision Impairment

Abstract

Background: A decrease in functional capacity due to ageing is one of the main risk factors for falls in older people. Aim: To investigate factors associated with falls in Chilean older adults. Material and Methods: We analyzed the self-reports of falls of 1,334 people aged >= 60 years who answered the National Health Survey 2009-2010. Falls during the last 12 months were recorded. Lifestyle, socio-demographic and health status were analyzed. A Poisson regression with robust variance estimates was performed to identify factors associated with falls. Results: Falls during the preceding year were reported by 37% of respondents (95% confidence intervals (CI): 32-42]. Fall frequency was higher in women (Prevalence ratio (PR):1.30 [95% CI:1.11; 1.53], p < 0.01) and those aged >= 75 years (PR:1.29 [95% CI:1.04; 1.61], p = 0.02). Hearing impairment (PR: 1.31 [95% CI: 1.07; 1.61], p < 0.01), impaired vision (PR:1.46 [95% CI:1.20; 1.77], p < 0.01), low self-reported wellbeing (PR: 1.41 [95% CI: 1.03; 1.94], p = 0.03) and disability (PR: 1.54 [95% CI:1.32; 1.79], p < 0.01) were associated with falls. However, multimorbidity (having >= 3 diseases) was negatively associated with falls (PR: 0.79 [95% CI: 0.63; 0.99], p = 0.04). Conclusions: Among older people, female sex, being aged > 75 years and having disability, hearing or vision impairment are risk factors for falls.

Más información

Título según WOS: Factors associated with falls in older adults in chile. Analysis of the National Health Survey 2009-2010
Título según SCOPUS: Factors associated with falls in older adults in chile. Analysis of the national health survey 2009-2010 [Factores asociados a caídas en adultos mayores chilenos: Evidencia de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010]
Título según SCIELO: Factores asociados a ca�das en adultos mayores chilenos: evidencia de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010
Título de la Revista: REVISTA MEDICA DE CHILE
Volumen: 147
Número: 7
Editorial: SOC MEDICA SANTIAGO
Fecha de publicación: 2019
Página de inicio: 877
Página final: 886
Idioma: Spanish
DOI:

10.4067/S0034-98872019000700877

Notas: ISI, SCIELO, SCOPUS