BACKGROUND: Single or frequent falls lead to increased morbidity due to fall-related injury, fear of falling, impairments in quality of life and loss of independence. To assess the impact of falls, prevalence data are essential. METHODS: In 2006, a telephone survey was performed in a random sample of 1270 inhabitants of the city of Herne, Germany, aged 40 years or older. Participants were asked about falls during the previous 4 weeks and 6 and 12 months, respectively. A fall was defined as an unexpected event in which the individual comes to rest on the ground, floor or a lower level. Participants were also asked about pain and whether or not a medical diagnosis of osteoporosis had ever been made. Standardized prevalences and odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence interval are reported. RESULTS: In total, 862 (67.9 %) adults participated. Participants were significantly older than non-participants and more often female than male. Prevalences standardized for the population of Herne for at least one fall within the previous 4 weeks or 12 months or two or more falls within 12 months, respectively, were 3.1 %, 12.1 %, and 4.5 %. Women were more often affected than men. A total of 2.3 % participants reported both at least one fall and a medical diagnosis of osteoporosis. The prevalence of falls increased with increasing age and was also related to musculoskeletal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Our estimates indicate that single and multiple falls affect a substantial proportion of adults in the urban population. Risk groups such as older adults and females with osteoporosis might represent a target group when considering measures for fall prevention.
BACKGROUND: Single or frequent falls lead to increased morbidity due to fall-related injury, fear of falling, impairments in quality of life and loss of independence. To assess the impact of falls, prevalence data are essential. METHODS: In 2006, a telephone survey was performed in a random sample of 1270 inhabitants of the city of Herne, Germany, aged 40 years or older. Participants were asked about falls during the previous 4 weeks and 6 and 12 months, respectively. A fall was defined as an unexpected event in which the individual comes to rest on the ground, floor or a lower level. Participants were also asked about pain and whether or not a medical diagnosis of osteoporosis had ever been made. Standardized prevalences and odds ratios (OR) with 95 % confidence interval are reported. RESULTS: In total, 862 (67.9 %) adults participated. Participants were significantly older than non-participants and more often female than male. Prevalences standardized for the population of Herne for at least one fall within the previous 4 weeks or 12 months or two or more falls within 12 months, respectively, were 3.1 %, 12.1 %, and 4.5 %. Women were more often affected than men. A total of 2.3 % participants reported both at least one fall and a medical diagnosis of osteoporosis. The prevalence of falls increased with increasing age and was also related to musculoskeletal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Our estimates indicate that single and multiple falls affect a substantial proportion of adults in the urban population. Risk groups such as older adults and females with osteoporosis might represent a target group when considering measures for fall prevention.
Authors: Alice C Scheffer; Marieke J Schuurmans; Nynke van Dijk; Truus van der Hooft; Sophia E de Rooij Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2008-01 Impact factor: 10.668
Authors: Vanessa L Kronzer; Rose D Tang; Allison P Schelble; Arbi Ben Abdallah; Troy S Wildes; Sherry L McKinnon; Furqaan Sadiq; Nan Lin; Daniel L Helsten; Anshuman Sharma; Susan L Stark; Michael S Avidan Journal: Anesthesiology Date: 2016-08 Impact factor: 7.892
Authors: Ulrich Thiem; Renate Klaaßen-Mielke; Ulrike Trampisch; Anna Moschny; Ludger Pientka; Timo Hinrichs Journal: Health Qual Life Outcomes Date: 2014-01-08 Impact factor: 3.186
Authors: Ana Lavedán; Maria Viladrosa; Pilar Jürschik; Teresa Botigué; Carmen Nuín; Olga Masot; Raquel Lavedán Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-03-29 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Alessander Danna-Dos-Santos; Maria M Ribeiro Dos Santos; Alessandra T Magalhães; Vinicius S Cardoso; Patricia Driusso; Luis Mochizuki; Adriana M Degani Journal: BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil Date: 2021-01-26