Bj. Vellas et al., A 2-YEAR LONGITUDINAL-STUDY OF FALLS IN 482 COMMUNITY-DWELLING ELDERLY ADULTS, The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 53(4), 1998, pp. 264-274
Background. Falls are a common occurrence in elderly persons, includin
g relatively healthy, community-dwelling men and women. A significant
percentage of falls result in soft-tissue injuries. Although some risk
factors for falls have been identified, more research is needed on ri
sk factors for injurious falls. In addition, there is little informati
on from prospective studies oil the long-term consequences of falls ot
her than injury. Methods. Risk factors and consequences of falls were
analyzed in a 24-month prospective study of 482 elderly (mean age 74 /- 6.7 years) men and women Living independently in the community. Fal
ls and injurious falls were as certained by telephone and by a bimonth
ly postcard follow-up. Predictor variables were obtained from a baseli
ne assessment and follow-up questionnaire. Outcomes were defined as ra
tes of falls and injurious falls, circumstances surrounding the fall,
and the long-term correlates of falls. Results. Sixty-one percent of t
he participants (53.7% of men and 65.7% of women) reported one or more
falls during the 2-year follow-up. The crude rates of injurious falls
were 11.17 per 1000 person-months in women and 7.23 per 1000 person-m
onths in men. Age, history of fracture, low physical health, and low o
r high mobility level were risk factors for injurious falls in both se
xes. The inability to balance unsupported on one leg was associated wi
th injurious falls in women (rate ratio [RR] = 3.0; 95% confidence int
erval 1.9-4.7). Self-reported cognitive, physical health, and mobility
impairments were greater in female fallers compared to the nonfallers
. Conclusions. Falls and injurious falls without fracture are frequent
events for healthy elderly people and may be associated with morbid c
hanges in cognitive status, physical health, and mobility.