Citation

Jiménez-Sánchez MD, Córcoles-Jiménez MP, Del Egido-Fernández MA, Villada-Munera A, Candel-Parra E, Moreno-Moreno M. Enferm. Clin. 2011; 21(3): 143-150.

Vernacular Title

Analisis de las caidas que producen fractura de cadera en ancianos.

Affiliation

Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Albacete, España.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.enfcli.2011.02.004

PMID

21493115

Abstract

AIMS: To identify the circumstances associated with falls resulting in hip fracture in the elderly, and risk factors for this kind of fall. METHOD: A 12 month observational study of patients over 65 years, admitted for hip fracture resulting from a fall to the General University Hospital of Albacete. Variables: demographic data, circumstances of fall, type of fracture, previous falls, associated diseases, regular drug treatment and mental status, collected from medical records and interviews. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed, which included, comparison of means (t test), comparison of proportions (χ(2)), odds ratio and corresponding 95% confidence intervals, and logistic regression models. RESULTS: A total of 312 patients were included with a mean age 81.68 years (range, 65-99), of which 74.3% (232) were women. Only 35 patients (11,2%) lived in an institution, 212 (68%) had not had a fall during previous six months, and 116 patients (37.2%) had cognitive impairment. Falls occurred indoors (189 patients, 63.2%), with only 14% (41) during the night. Most of falls were related to extrinsic factors (31.5% tripping, slipping 24.1%; n=257). Patients had previous diseases in a 96% (300) of cases, with the most common being hypertension (177 patients, 59%) and diabetes (72, 24%). Drugs most frequently taken were anti-platelets (82, 31.9%), antihypertensives, diuretics (78, 30.4%), oral hypoglycaemic agents (41, 16%), anxiolytics (37, 14.4%) and antidepressants (35, 13.6%). The prior independence for walking on the street appears as a protective factor to fall indoors. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, falls resulting in hip fracture occurred commonly in elderly people without previous falls, while at home, at a time of increased activity, and by extrinsic factors.

Language: es