Incidence, risk factors and consequences of falls among elderly subjects living in the community: A criteria-based analysis

@article{citeulike:2773420, abstract = {In order to obtain an overview of the incidences, risk factors and health consequences of falls among elderly persons living in the community from the available literature, a Medline computer search of publications over the period 1981-1994 was carried out. Fourteen studies met the following inclusion criteria: i) the study is an original investigation of falls among the elderly, ii) the study deals with the incidence, risk factors and/or consequences of falls among the elderly and iii) the study refers to a population at risk consisting of persons aged 60 years or over belonging to a population relevant to general practice. The selected studies were subjected to a methodological assessment on the basis of 10 methodological criteria. All the studies were independently assessed by 1 author and 1 assistant to obtain a methodological consensus. The relevant outcomes of these studies are reported. Pooling of data was not performed because of relevant differences between the studies. Two studies met all methodological criteria and 2 other studies were second best. These 4 studies were given preference. Approximately 30\% of subjects older than 65 years fall at least once a year and approximately 15\% fall recurrently. The main risk factors for falls among the elderly belong to the intrinsic (patient-related) risk factors: cognitive impairment, balance and gait disorders, use of sedatives and hypnotics, a history of stroke, advanced age, arthritis of the knee and a high level of dependence. Extrinsic (environment-related) risk factors did not play a significant role in any of the studies. Not all studies dealt with the health consequences of falls among the elderly. Major injuries were reported in 0.5-9\% and fractures in 3-14\%. 10.1093/eurpub/7.3.328}, author = {Stalenhoef, Paul A. and Crebolder, Harry F. and Knottnerus, Andre J. and Van}, citeulike-article-id = {2773420}, doi = {10.1093/eurpub/7.3.328}, journal = {Eur J Public Health}, month = {September}, number = {3}, pages = {328--334}, posted-at = {2008-05-08 20:17:24}, priority = {2}, title = {Incidence, risk factors and consequences of falls among elderly subjects living in the community: A criteria-based analysis}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/7.3.328}, volume = {7}, year = {1997} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:2773420 L3 - citeulike-article-id:2773420 TI - Incidence, risk factors and consequences of falls among elderly subjects living in the community: A criteria-based analysis JF - Eur J Public Health VL - 7 IS - 3 SP - 328 EP - 334 N2 - In order to obtain an overview of the incidences, risk factors and health consequences of falls among elderly persons living in the community from the available literature, a Medline computer search of publications over the period 1981-1994 was carried out. Fourteen studies met the following inclusion criteria: i) the study is an original investigation of falls among the elderly, ii) the study deals with the incidence, risk factors and/or consequences of falls among the elderly and iii) the study refers to a population at risk consisting of persons aged 60 years or over belonging to a population relevant to general practice. The selected studies were subjected to a methodological assessment on the basis of 10 methodological criteria. All the studies were independently assessed by 1 author and 1 assistant to obtain a methodological consensus. The relevant outcomes of these studies are reported. Pooling of data was not performed because of relevant differences between the studies. Two studies met all methodological criteria and 2 other studies were second best. These 4 studies were given preference. Approximately 30% of subjects older than 65 years fall at least once a year and approximately 15% fall recurrently. The main risk factors for falls among the elderly belong to the intrinsic (patient-related) risk factors: cognitive impairment, balance and gait disorders, use of sedatives and hypnotics, a history of stroke, advanced age, arthritis of the knee and a high level of dependence. Extrinsic (environment-related) risk factors did not play a significant role in any of the studies. Not all studies dealt with the health consequences of falls among the elderly. Major injuries were reported in 0.5-9% and fractures in 3-14%. 10.1093/eurpub/7.3.328 AU - Stalenhoef, Paul AU - Crebolder, Harry AU - Knottnerus, Andre AU - Van PY - 1997/09/01/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/7.3.328 ER -