TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Epidemiology of falls among older adults: a cross sectional study from Chandigarh, India
JO  - Injury
A1  - Tripathy, Nalini K.
A1  - Jagnoor, Jagnoor
A1  - Patro, Binod K.
A1  - Dhillon, Mandeep S.
A1  - Kumar, Rajesh
SP  - 1801
EP  - 1805
VL  - 46
IS  - 9
N2  - BACKGROUND: Fall is an important cause of injury morbidity in older adults. However, epidemiological information on fall is limited in low- and middle-income countries. We investigated the extent, pattern, characteristics, and context of falls in Chandigarh. <br><br>METHODS: A cross sectional survey was carried out among 300 persons (≥60 years), sampled from urban, rural and slums areas of Chandigarh, India from March 2011 to October 2012 using multistage cluster sampling. A pre-tested interview schedule was used and relevant medical examinations were conducted. Multivariable logistic regression was carried out to estimate Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). <br><br>RESULTS: In the past one year, 31% (92/300) respondents reported one or more falls. On an average 0.67 fall episodes occurred/person/year (202/300). Most (68%; 63/92) falls occurred at home; 75% (47/63) occurred while carrying out activities such as toileting, bathing, sleeping and eating etc. Injuries due to falls were reported by 67% (62/92). In these cases, lower extremities, 37% (23/62) were the most common site of injury. Eight percent (5/62) reported fractures. A general physician was consulted by 44% (27/62), and 11% (7/62) utilized emergency services whilst another 11% (7/62) of fall injuries required hospital admission. Risk of fall was higher among females (OR 1.6, 95%CI 1.0-2.8, p 0.068), those taking four or more medicines (OR 2.1, 95%CI 1.2-3.5, p 0.009) and having poor body balance (OR 1.9, 95%CI 1.0-3.4, p 0.037). <br><br>CONCLUSION: Fall injuries were common in older adults of Chandigarh. Large cohort studies are needed to identify risk factors particularly those related to home environment.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0020-1383
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2015.04.037
ID  - ref1
ER  -