Citation

Ranaweera AD, Fonseka P, Pattiyaarachchi A, Siribaddana SH. Ceylon Med. J. 2013; 58(3): 100-106.

Affiliation

Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. dranaweera90@gmail.com.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Sri Lanka Medical Association)

DOI

10.4038/cmj.v58i3.5080

PMID

24081169

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the incidence and risk factors of falls among the elderly in the District of Colombo. METHODS: Incidence of falls was assessed by a community based descriptive study with prospective follow up. Risk factors for falls were assessed by a nested case control study. Participants above 65 years residing in 40 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Colombo district (n=1200) were assessed for falls and followed up for four months. Those who had falls were selected as cases (n=151), while two controls per case were selected from others. MEASUREMENTS: Tests for gait problems, disability, cognitive impairment and vision. RESULTS: The incidence rate of falls was 492 per 1000 person years (95% CI 448-536). Risk factors for falls identified in the multivariate analysis were falls in the previous year (OR 4.67), high disability level (OR 2.04) and high house risk level (OR 1.68). CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of falls among the elderly reported in this study and the preventable risk factors identify / indicate the necessity and feasibility of their prevention.

Language: en