Frequency and factors associated with falls in adults aged 55 years or more

Authors

  • Sabrina Canhada Ferrari Prato Prefeitura do Município de Cambé; Secretaria Municipal de Saúde
  • Selma Maffei de Andrade Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Centro de Ciências da Saúde; Departamento de Saúde Coletiva
  • Marcos Aparecido Sarria Cabrera Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Centro de Ciências da Saúde; Departamento de Clínica Médica
  • Renata Maciulis Dip Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Centro de Ciências da Saúde; Departamento de Clínica Médica
  • Hellen Geremias dos Santos Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Saúde Pública
  • Mara Solange Gomes Dellaroza Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Centro de Ciências da Saúde; Departamento de Enfermagem
  • Arthur Eumann Mesas Universidade Estadual de Londrina; Centro de Ciências da Saúde; Departamento de Saúde Coletiva

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1518-8787.2017051005409

Keywords:

Middle Aged, Aged, Accidental Falls, Risk Factors, Health Surveys

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to analyze the frequency and factors associated with falls in adults aged 55 years or more. METHODS This is a study inserted into another population-based study with representative sample of persons aged 40 years or more of the urban area in a medium-sized municipality of the State of Paraná, Brazil, in 2011. That study obtained demographic and socioeconomic data and characteristics related to life habits, health conditions, and functional capacity (n = 1,180). In 2012, we selected all persons aged 55 years or more (n = 501). We have estimated grip strength and the occurrence of a fall since the last interview in 80.6% of the adults. The crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) have been calculated by logistic regression according to a hierarchical model. RESULTS The rate of fall was 24.3%. After adjustments, we could observe higher chances of falls among women (OR = 3.10; 95%CI 1.79–5.38), among persons aged 65 years or more (OR = 2.39; 95%CI 1.45–3.95), with poor sleep quality (OR = 1.78; 95%CI 1.08–2.93), and with low grip strength (OR = 2.31; 95%CI 1.34–3.97). CONCLUSIONS Poor sleep quality and low muscle strength can be indicators of increased risk of falls and need assessments and interventions aimed at preventing them.

Published

2017-01-01

Issue

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Frequency and factors associated with falls in adults aged 55 years or more. (2017). Revista De Saúde Pública, 51, 37. https://doi.org/10.1590/s1518-8787.2017051005409