Citation

Skalska A, Wizner B, Piotrowicz K, Klich-Rączka A, Klimek E, Mossakowska M, Rowiński R, Kozak-Szkopek E, Jóźwiak A, Gąsowski J, Grodzicki T. Exp. Gerontol. 2013; 48(2): 140-146.

Affiliation

The Department of Internal Medicine and Gerontology Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland. Electronic address: anskal@su.krakow.pl.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.exger.2012.12.003

PMID

23261517

Abstract

Falls are a geriatric syndrome which affects physical and psychological well-being of the aged. So far, in Poland there have not been any population-based data on the prevalence of falls among the elderly. The aim of this analysis was to assess the prevalence of falls, their circumstances and consequences in the Polish population aged 65years and older in comparison to younger respondents aged 55-59years, and the relation of falls to visual and hearing deficits. Mean age of the 4920 elderly subjects (51.6% men) was 79.4±8.7years. Falls in the past year were reported by 10.4% of the younger and 19.1% of the older subjects. In both groups falls occurred more frequently in women (11.9% vs. 8.7%, p=0.03 in the younger and 22.7% vs. 13.2%, p<0.001 in the older group). In the group of older subjects falls occurred most often during walking (66.7% vs. 50.7% in the group of 55-59years old), p=0.005), while the younger more often fell while practicing sports (5.48% vs. 0.8% in the group 65+, p<0.001) and risky activities (respectively: 13.7% vs. 4.9%, p=0.002). A similar percentage of younger and older fallers reported one (44.0% and 46.1% respectively) or more falls (56.1% and 53.9%; p=0.6). The percentage of recurrent fallers grew with increasing age (Cc=0.177; p<0.001). The prevalence of injurious falls was similar in the younger and older groups (45.4% and 42.8%, p=0.53). In both genders fall-related injuries were more frequent in younger elderly (65-74years old) and in subjects 90years old and older. In the non-standardized analysis and after adjustment for age and gender visual and hearing impairment and its degree was associated with falls but both relations lost statistical significance after adjustment for a set of explanatory variables. Despite somewhat lower estimates, falls in older Poles are no less important factor influencing overall health than in other populations. The higher prevalence of multiple falls should draw attention of the health-care policy makers. Sensory impairment may add to the risk of falls and should be adequately taken care of, however the priority in the future fall prevention initiative should be given to stronger factors, such as age, type of activity, overall health, cognitive function and functional status.

Language: en