Prevalence of household falls in long-lived adults and association with extrinsic factors

Abstract

ResumeObjective:to identify the prevalence of falls among older adults and the extrinsic factors associated with them. Method:population-based cross-sectional study with 350 older adults. A household survey was conducted using a questionnaire addressing socio-demographic, clinical, and environmental characteristics. Data were analyzed using Stata Software V.10. Pearson’s chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used with stepwise criteria for selection of variables in the model, with measures of effect expressed in Prevalence Ratio. For input into the multiple model, the variables with p ≤ 0.20 were considered. All ethical care regarding research on human beings has been observed and respected. Results:the prevalence of falls was 46.9%. The extrinsic factors associated with falls were: stairs, uneven floor and pets in the main entrance, lack of anti-slip loose throw rugs and slippery floor in the kitchen, lack of anti-slip loose throw rugs and objects on the floor in the room, lack of grab bars in the shower, lack of grab bars in the toilet and switch away from the bathroom door (p <0.05). Conclusion:falls are frequent in long-lived adults. The identification of the extrinsic factors associated with the occurrence of this event can help in its prevention.

Epidemiology of spinal injury patients admitted to the department of orthopaedics, King George Medical University

“…22 Violence mainly related gunshots has been reported to be the cause in 12%-23% of traumatic spinal cord injuries in USA. 20,21,23 Different behavior pattern in different population can affect traumatic spinal cord injury etiology and this explains the difference in aetiology reported by us and that in other countries. 24 In our study patients who sustained injury due to a fall, the highest mean age in decreased as the height of the fall increased.…”

“…Falls may be due to intrinsic factors or extrinsic factors. 20 Extrinsic factors reported to associated with household falls are stairs, uneven floor and pets in the main entrance, lack of anti-slip loose throw rugs and slippery floor in the kitchen, lack of anti-slip loose throw rugs and objects on the floor in the room, lack of grab bars in the shower, lack of grab bars in the toilet and switch away from the bathroom door. 20 These are easily preventable.…”

“…20 Extrinsic factors reported to associated with household falls are stairs, uneven floor and pets in the main entrance, lack of anti-slip loose throw rugs and slippery floor in the kitchen, lack of anti-slip loose throw rugs and objects on the floor in the room, lack of grab bars in the shower, lack of grab bars in the toilet and switch away from the bathroom door. 20 These are easily preventable. We did not collect any data on risk factors associated with falls as this was beyond the scope of our study and therefore, we are unable to comment on whether the falls were preventable or not.…”

Características dos idosos atendidos em um pronto-socorro em decorrência de queda

“…Even when the fall is not fatal, the event causes loss of confidence and functional decline (15) . The biological aging process causes structural and functional changes that progressively accumulate with age and may compromise the performance of motor skills, make it difficult for the individual to adapt to the environment, and predispose them to the occurrence of falls (16) .…”

Intervenção psicoeducativa e tecnológica para prevenção de quedas em pessoas idosas

“…Os fatores de risco para quedas chamados intrínsecos são relativos às características pessoais e os extrínsecos são relativos ao ambiente (Pereira, 2017). Dentre os fatores intrínsecos se destacam, idade avançada, problemas de marcha e equilíbrio, diminuição de flexibilidade e força muscular, problemas visuais, uso de medicamentos psicoativos e polifarmácia, comprometimento nas atividades de vida diária (AVD), declínio cognitivo e sintomas depressivos, já os fatores extrínsecos são evidenciados principalmente por superfícies irregulares, superfícies escorregadias, objetos soltos e desníveis no chão (Khow & Visvanath, 2017;Ambrose, Paul & Hausdorff, 2013).…”