@article{ref1,
title="Prevalence of falls and associated factors among community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study",
journal="Journal of frailty and aging",
year="2021",
author="Almada, M. and Brochado, P. and Portela, D. and Midão, L. and Costa, E.",
volume="10",
number="1",
pages="10-16",
abstract="AIM: As a person ages, the risk of falls increases, which affects quality of life and represents a financial burden to health- and social-systems, and a greater morbidity and mortality risk. Falls lead to decreased social contact, anxiety, long-term physical disability, severe dependency and hospitalizations. Currently, few studies address this phenomenon using a uniform methodology; therefore, this study aims to explore the prevalence of falls and associated-variables in older adults across Europe.   METHODS: In this cross-sectional analysis, we used data from Wave 6 of SHARE. The prevalence of falls was assessed through the answer &quot;falling down&quot; to the question &quot;For the past six months at least, have you been bothered by any of the health conditions on this card?&quot;. Multilevel logistic regression was used, using falls as a dependent variable. Multilevel univariable logistic regression models were made to identify potential associated factors.   RESULTS: From the 41,098 participants, 56.3% were female, and the average age was of 70.0 ± 8.9 years. The prevalence of falls was 8.2% (CI 8.0% to 8.4%), being higher in women (10.1% vs. 5.8%) and increasing with age. Age, female gender, being frail or pre-frail, higher scores on the EURO-D scale, polypharmacy and fear of falling were found to be significantly associated with falls.   CONCLUSIONS: We found that falls are prevalent in the European community-dwelling population, with variations between countries. As a public health priority, identification of the variables associated with falls is important in order to identify/monitor the risk in older groups and develop tailored and cost-effective interventions for falls prevention.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2260-1341",
doi="10.14283/jfa.2020.44",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2020.44"
}