Incidence and risk factors of falls among south indian community-dwelling elderly

Introduction: Falls are an important health problem among elderly, with various consequences. The objectives of this study were to estimate 1-year incidence of falls, distribution, and severity of fall-related injuries and to determine risk factors for fall risk among the elderly population aged ≥60...

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Main Authors: Enakshi Ganguly, Fadheela Ahmed, Velagaturi Kavitha, Pawan Kumar Sharma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2023-01-01
Series:Journal of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jiag.in//article.asp?issn=0974-3405;year=2023;volume=19;issue=4;spage=207;epage=213;aulast=Ganguly
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author Enakshi Ganguly
Fadheela Ahmed
Velagaturi Kavitha
Pawan Kumar Sharma
author_facet Enakshi Ganguly
Fadheela Ahmed
Velagaturi Kavitha
Pawan Kumar Sharma
author_sort Enakshi Ganguly
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Falls are an important health problem among elderly, with various consequences. The objectives of this study were to estimate 1-year incidence of falls, distribution, and severity of fall-related injuries and to determine risk factors for fall risk among the elderly population aged ≥60 years. Methods: A total of 140 urban community-dwelling participants aged ≥60 years were studied using an investigator-administered questionnaire. Short physical performance battery, chair stand test, handgrip strength, and anthropometric measurements were done. The Chi-square test was done to compare fallers and nonfallers. Logistic regression was done for independently associated risk factors. Results: One-year incidence of falls was 14.3%; 17.6% among women and 9.1% among men. Sixty percent of participants had multiple falls. Seventy-five percent of the fallers were overweight or obese. Sprain was the most common reported fall-related injury (20%), whereas 45% had no injuries. Depression (60%), osteoporosis (80%), poor activities of daily living (90%), and polypharmacy (35%) were significantly associated with falls. Osteoporosis (odds ratio: 14.89; 95% confidence interval: 1.91–115.95) was independently associated with fall risk. Conclusions: The burden of falls among urban elderly was low. The majority of the population experienced multiple falls. Since chronic diseases including osteoporosis and poor mobility were directly associated with the risk of falls, further longitudinal studies may explore the health-related and socioenvironmental risks further.
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spelling doaj.art-09eb92a9895e4af199e47efad5472b662024-04-04T14:36:10ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics0974-34050974-24842023-01-0119420721310.4103/jiag.jiag_40_23Incidence and risk factors of falls among south indian community-dwelling elderlyEnakshi GangulyFadheela AhmedVelagaturi KavithaPawan Kumar SharmaIntroduction: Falls are an important health problem among elderly, with various consequences. The objectives of this study were to estimate 1-year incidence of falls, distribution, and severity of fall-related injuries and to determine risk factors for fall risk among the elderly population aged ≥60 years. Methods: A total of 140 urban community-dwelling participants aged ≥60 years were studied using an investigator-administered questionnaire. Short physical performance battery, chair stand test, handgrip strength, and anthropometric measurements were done. The Chi-square test was done to compare fallers and nonfallers. Logistic regression was done for independently associated risk factors. Results: One-year incidence of falls was 14.3%; 17.6% among women and 9.1% among men. Sixty percent of participants had multiple falls. Seventy-five percent of the fallers were overweight or obese. Sprain was the most common reported fall-related injury (20%), whereas 45% had no injuries. Depression (60%), osteoporosis (80%), poor activities of daily living (90%), and polypharmacy (35%) were significantly associated with falls. Osteoporosis (odds ratio: 14.89; 95% confidence interval: 1.91–115.95) was independently associated with fall risk. Conclusions: The burden of falls among urban elderly was low. The majority of the population experienced multiple falls. Since chronic diseases including osteoporosis and poor mobility were directly associated with the risk of falls, further longitudinal studies may explore the health-related and socioenvironmental risks further.http://www.jiag.in//article.asp?issn=0974-3405;year=2023;volume=19;issue=4;spage=207;epage=213;aulast=Gangulyelderlyfallsindiainjuriesrisk factors
spellingShingle Enakshi Ganguly
Fadheela Ahmed
Velagaturi Kavitha
Pawan Kumar Sharma
Incidence and risk factors of falls among south indian community-dwelling elderly
Journal of the Indian Academy of Geriatrics
elderly
falls
india
injuries
risk factors
title Incidence and risk factors of falls among south indian community-dwelling elderly
title_full Incidence and risk factors of falls among south indian community-dwelling elderly
title_fullStr Incidence and risk factors of falls among south indian community-dwelling elderly
title_full_unstemmed Incidence and risk factors of falls among south indian community-dwelling elderly
title_short Incidence and risk factors of falls among south indian community-dwelling elderly
title_sort incidence and risk factors of falls among south indian community dwelling elderly
topic elderly
falls
india
injuries
risk factors
url http://www.jiag.in//article.asp?issn=0974-3405;year=2023;volume=19;issue=4;spage=207;epage=213;aulast=Ganguly
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AT velagaturikavitha incidenceandriskfactorsoffallsamongsouthindiancommunitydwellingelderly
AT pawankumarsharma incidenceandriskfactorsoffallsamongsouthindiancommunitydwellingelderly