Citation

Reyes-Ortiz CA, Pacheco S, Slovacek CA, Jiang M, Salinas-Fernandez IC, Ocampo-Chaparro JM. Rev. Salud Publica 2023; 22(5): 527-532.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Instituto de Salud en el Tropico)

DOI

10.15446/rsap.V22n5.84883

PMID

36753221

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for falls requiring medical attention, referred as medical falls, in community-dwelling persons aged >60 years.

METHODS A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using information from the Health, Well-Being, and Aging ("SABE") Study in Latin America and the Caribbean (7 cities), as well as from the SABE Bogota study (pooled sample of 8 cities n=12,487). Falls that occurred during a past 12-month period were considered and then noted if required medical treatment because of the fall.

RESULTS: The weighted prevalence of medical falls across the eight surveys ranged from 6.0% to 11.3%. In weighted multivariate logistic regression analyses, potentially modifiable risk factors for medical falls include urinary incontinence (OR=1.51 95% CI 1.18-1.92), high depressive symptomatology (OR=1.53 95% CI 1.24-1.91), poor self-rated health (OR=1.35 95% CI 1.10-1.66) and activities of daily living limitations (OR=1.48 95% CI 1.16-1.87).

CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, preventive measures targeting these risk factors may help to decrease the risk for medical falls among older adults in Latin America.

Language: en