Citation

Caberlon IC, Bós AJ. Cien. Saude Colet. 2015; 20(12): 3743-3752.

Vernacular Title

Diferenças sazonais de quedas e fraturas em idosos gaúchos.

Affiliation

Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Associacao Brasileira de Pos-Graduacao em Saude Coletiva)

DOI

10.1590/1413-812320152012.20602014

PMID

26691799

Abstract

Falls and fractures in the elderly represent a significant public health problem, associated with higher rates of morbidity and mortality, reduction of functional capacity, institutionalization of the elderly and early death. The scope of this study was to investigate falls and fractures in the elderly living in the metropolitan and mountainous region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, analyzing the associated factors, seasonality and severity thereof. It is a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive, analytical and quantitative study of the elderly attended for falls from January 1 to December 31 of 2010 using secondary data from emergency units of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Data were collected from all health care reports filed in medical departments. The total number of bulletins for the elderly attended for falls was 6,556: 71% were women; 26.8% were in winter; 30% involved fractures (32% women and 28% men) (p < 0.0001). In only 17.2% of the cases the fall site was recorded, and 58% were outside the home. Winter was the season with 34% of confirmed fractures (p = 0.0002) with more severe outcomes (26.3%). Most falls and their consequences can be prevented and avoided. It is paramount to implement programs and multifactorial actions for intervention.

Language: pt