OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence and risk factors for recurrent falls in community-dwelling elderly in Beijing.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in 472 elderly in the Longtan community of Dongcheng district,Beijing in 2009. Data on recurrent falls within the past 12 months were collected through face-to-face interview, with both single factor analysis and logistic regression analysis used to explore the related factors on recurrent falls in the elderly.

RESULTSThe incidence of recurrent falls among 472 older adults was 6.1% (29) within the past 12 months. Results from logistic regression analysis showed that factors as higher family monthly income(OR = 1.39, 95% CI:0.67-2.16), afraid of being fallen(OR = 2.23, 95% CI:1.47-3.85)and abnormal static balance(OR = 2.48, 95% CI:1.84-4.05)were risk factors, while bench height in the surrounding environment(OR = 0.49, 95% CI:0.21-1.12)and easiness of access to daily supplies (OR = 0.41, 95%CI:0.14-1.16)were protective factors for recurrent falls.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of recurrent falls among the elderly from the communities in Beijing was high. Since falls could be caused by various factors, intervention should be targeting on risk factors in a multi-dimensional way.

Accidental Falls ; statistics & numerical data ; Aged ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Risk Factors

Accidental Falls ; prevention & control ; statistics & numerical data ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans

This study provides a statistical analysis of 1,226 cases of death occurring in Area 8, Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (Gangseo, Yangcheon, and Guro Police Stations) from January 1 to December 31, 2017. There were 427 postmortem inspection cases in Gangseo, 393 in Yangcheon, 377 in Guro, and 29 in other areas. The number of autopsy cases was 69 in Gangseo, 70 in Yangcheon, 86 in Guro, and seven in other areas. According to the postmortem inspection reports, there were 593 cases of natural death and 336 cases of unnatural death, while in 297 cases the cause of death was unknown. Of the 297 unknown cases, autopsy rates from each police station were as follows: 54 of 99 cases (54.5%) in Gangseo, 60 of 101 cases (59.4%) in Yangcheon, 67 of 93 cases (72.0%) in Guro, and in all four cases (100%) from other areas. Unnatural deaths included 215 cases of suicide, nine cases of homicide, and 64 accidental death, while 48 cases were undetermined. Among the unnatural deaths, the cause of death included 138 cases of hanging, 72 cases of falls from a height, and 32 cases of poisoning. Since this statistical study is based on actual postmortem inspection data for 1,226 cases of death in the eight areas of Seoul (excluding deaths from traffic accidents), it raises issues relating to the current postmortem inspection system, and can be used as reference material for a comprehensive overview of causes of death.
Accidental Falls ; Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Homicide ; Humans ; Poisoning ; Police ; Seoul ; Statistics as Topic ; Suicide

BACKGROUND: One out of three adults over the age of 65 years and one out of two over the age of 80 falls annually. Fall risk increases for older adults with severe knee osteoarthritis, a matter that should be further researched. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the history of falls including frequency, mechanism and location of falls, activity during falling and injuries sustained from falls examining at the same time their physical status. The secondary purpose was to determine the effect of age, gender, chronic diseases, social environment, pain elsewhere in the body and components of health related quality of life such as pain, stiffness, physical function, and dynamic stability on falls frequency in older adults aged 65 years and older with severe knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: An observational longitudinal study was conducted on 68 patients (11 males and 57 females) scheduled for total knee replacement due to severe knee osteoarthritis (grade 3 or 4) and knee pain lasting at least one year or more. Patients were personally interviewed for fall history and asked to complete self-administered questionnaires, such as the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and physical performance test was performed. RESULTS: The frequency of falls was 63.2% for the past year. The majority of falls took place during walking (89.23%). The main cause of falling was stumbling (41.54%). There was a high rate of injurious falling (29.3%). The time patients needed to complete the physical performance test implied the presence of disability and frailty. The high rates of fall risk, the high disability levels, and the low quality of life were confirmed by questionnaires and the mobility test. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe knee osteoarthritis were at greater risk of falling, as compared to healthy older adults. Pain, stiffness, limited physical ability, reduced muscle strength, all consequences of severe knee osteoarthritis, restricted patient's quality of life and increased the fall risk. Therefore, patients with severe knee osteoarthritis should not postpone having total knee replacement, since it was clear that they would face more complicated matters when combining with fractures other serious injuries and disability.
Accidental Falls/*statistics & numerical data ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/*epidemiology ; Quality of Life ; Risk

OBJECTIVETo understand the epidemiologic characteristics of fall in people aged ≥60 years in China and provide evidence for the development of prevention and control measures of fall in old population.

METHODSData of fall in people aged ≥60 years in China in 2014 were collected from National Injury Surveillance System (NISS) for the descriptive epidemiologic analysis.

RESULTSA total of 41,073 fall cases were reported in people aged ≥60 years in 2014, accounting for 52.81% of total unintentional injuries in this population. The fall to unintentional injury ratio was higher in older age group. The gender ratio of fall cases was 0.77 and the proportion of females increased with age. Fall mainly occurred during 8:00-11:59 in the morning (33.31%). The top three places where fall might occur were home (55.66%), public residential places (20.52%) and roads (11.64%). Recreational activity (68.94%) and housework/study (16.14%) were the major causes for fall. The common injury sites were low limbs (29.28%), head (24.40%) and body (20.04%), while the common injuries caused by fall were bruise (45.76%) and fractures (29.52%), spain/strain (13.28%). The fall injuries were mainly mild (64.20%), while more moderate and serious fall injuries occurred in older age group.

CONCLUSIONFall is the major cause of injury in old population in China, and the proportion of fall in unintentional injury in this population increased with age, indicating that the prevention of fall in old population should be strengthened.

Accidental Falls ; statistics & numerical data ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Environment ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Recreation ; Residence Characteristics

PURPOSE: This study attempts to explore the subjective experience of frailty among elderly individuals in Korea. METHODS: From June to August in 2014, 11 elderly persons who had experienced frailty in a community were interviewed. For data analysis, the method suggested by Colaizzi was applied as a phenomenological method. RESULTS: According to the analysis, the study participants' frailty process was structured in seven categories: (a) ‘natural phenomenon with ageing,’ (b) ‘life force comes to an end,’ (c) ‘the light in my heart turns off,’ (d) ‘unavoidable situation,’ (e) ‘continuous and connected vicious cycle,’ (f) ‘the limit of recovery energy already passes,’ and (g) ‘life is supported by someones help.’ CONCLUSION: The frailty experience in the participants is a natural process of aging, which cause vicious cycle acting with each other among physical, psychological, and social health. It is said that the cycle of frailty was started from weight loss and insufficient sleep, and boostered by pain. The participants from repetition of the vicious cycle become exhausted and pass the threshold of their recovery energy at some points. If they meet with sudden accidents such as falling, traffic accident and so on, they become to live a dependent life supported by someone's help in a moment. To prevent frailty and worsening conditions in Korean elderly individuals, it is recommended to provide a interventional programs using this study's results.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Aged* ; Aging ; Frail Elderly ; Heart ; Humans ; Korea ; Methods* ; Qualitative Research ; Statistics as Topic ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVEFalls are one of the life events leading to injury and in serious cases cause high morbidity and mortality. This research was conducted to determine the fall incidence among female population of Kashan city from the years 2005 to 2008.

METHODSThis was a retrospective research using existing data from the data bank of trauma center of Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Records of all the female patients treated at local hospitals with complete hospitalisation kept at the center were examined for 4 consecutive years from 2005 to 2008.

RESULTSA total of 2 094 female patients'records were examined. A significantly higher incidence of injuy occurred in 2008 compared to 2005 (P less than 0.0001). In addition, the highest frequency of injury occurred in age group above 65 years (31.9%) and in group with elementary education level (42.8%).

CONCLUSIONThe results showed that fall incidences occurred in the old age group above 65 years. Fall injuries at this age may cause disability. Therefore, preventive measures should be taken, such as increasing the awareness of the aging population about the seriousness of fall incidence and encouraging the aged individuals to get involved in fitness program to remain physical fit and healthy.

Accidental Falls ; statistics & numerical data ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; epidemiology ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo obtain the incidence rate of injury in primary and middle school students in China, so as to provide basic information for the development of prevention and control strategy.

METHODSSystematic review was applied to summarize the published data. After strict inclusion and exclusion, 42 eligible articles were included for analysis.

RESULTSA total number of 259 994 subjects was studied with 79 995 persons, 127 978 person-time involved in different kinds of injuries with the total incidence rate of 30.77% by person and 49.22% by person-time, respectively. The incidence rates of injury were not statistically significant between primary and middle schools (t = -1.752, P = 0.110) or at different places (F = 1.890, P = 0.120). However, significant differences were found between boys and girls (t = 5.998, P = 0.000). The top three injuries were caused by fall, hurt during sports activities and transportation vehicles.

CONCLUSIONResults from the systematic review indicated that the majority of injuries were fall, hurt during sports activities and transportation vehicles among primary and middle school students in China. In order to reduce the incidence of injury, health education and improvement of environment should be particularly strengthened in the future. Injury; Incidence rate; Primary and middle school students in China. In order to reduce the incidence of injury, health education and improvement of environment should be particularly strengthened in the future.

Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Adolescent ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Sports ; Students ; statistics & numerical data ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the incidence of falls and recurrent falls, and explore associated factors for single and recurrent falls among urban community-dwelling elderly in Beijing.

METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in 472 elderly in the Longtan community of Dongcheng district, Beijing in 2009. Data regarding the incidence of fall and recurrent falls in the previous year, as well as associated factors were collected from the elderly through face-to-face interviews.

RESULTSThe incidence of falls and recurrent falls was 17.8% and 6.1%, respectively, and it increased with age (χ2for trend=21.06, 19.20, P=0.001, 0.002). Binary logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that age (OR=2.20), living alone (OR=4.67) and gait disturbance (OR=1.27) were risk factors, while housing with elevators (OR=0.35), appropriate width/height of stair steps (OR=0.78), sufficient lighting for stairway (OR=0.45) and regular exercise (OR=0.12) could lower the risk for single fall; factors such as low monthly family income (OR=1.39), poor vision (OR=1.83), low physical ability (OR=4.47), abnormal static balance (OR=2.48), and fear of falls(OR=2.23) were risk factors, while appropriate width/height of stair steps (OR=0.49) and easiness of access to daily supplies (OR=0.41) were protective factors for recurrent falls.

CONCLUSIONThe incidence of falls in community-dwelling elderly people in Beijing is common, and falls and their related injuries have been associated with both intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

Accidental Falls ; statistics & numerical data ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Cities ; statistics & numerical data ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Recurrence ; Wounds and Injuries ; epidemiology

BACKGROUNDFalls are the most frequently reported adverse events in inpatient settings. We conducted a retrospective case-control study of inpatient falls within aged care wards in a tertiary hospital to investigate the associated characteristics of elderly patients suffering from falls and fall-related characteristics.

METHODSConsecutive retrospective cross-sectional design spanned July 2006 to December 2008.

PATIENT GROUPInformation on all aged care inpatients who suffered from 1 or more falls was extracted from Incident Information Management System (IIMS). Further details about the particular admission(s) were obtained from patients' medical records, e.g., patients' characteristics and circumstances surrounding the falls. Randomly selected aged care patients who did not suffer from a fall and who were discharged from the hospital in the same period served control group. Characteristics among patients with single fall and recurrent falls, as well as non-fallers were compared.

RESULTSOf the 438 falls evaluated, 71.9% occurred in patients' room and 18.9% in patients' bathroom/toilet. The common activities were moving/transferring and taking shower/toileting, respectively, 70.3%, 12.1% while occurring falls; and time of falls had a high peak during 9:00-11:00 a.m. Many were unassisted while falling. The common contributing factors for fall were intrinsic factors. Patients with recurrent falls were more likely to have lower Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Logistic regression analysis showed length of stay longer than five weeks, dementia and stroke were independent risk factors for recurrent falls; and living in hostel/nursing home preadmission, needing assistance with mobility, cognitive impairment, stroke, incontinence and arthritis/osteoporosis were independent risk factors for fall.

CONCLUSIONSIn an aged care ward, falls are independently associated with recurrent factors. Cognitive impairment/dementia was a strong risk factor for falls, and main causes leading to fall were intrinsic factors. For patients with cognitive impairment/dementia and behavioral disorder providing special and effective interventions is of paramount importance for reducing the incidence of fall in an aged care ward in hospital settings.

Accidental Falls ; statistics & numerical data ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nursing Homes ; statistics & numerical data ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors