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: Depressive symptoms are a worldwide health problem. However, the research about the effect of depressive symptoms on the fall among the Chinese mid-aged and elderly people is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the association between depressive symptoms and fall accidents among middle-aged and elderly people in China. METHODS: This study was conducted based on 12,527 sets of data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS). The 2011 depressive symptoms data and the 2013 fall data were chosen for this study. The depressive symptom-related data was assessed by the Chinese version of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scales (CES-D). Individuals were divided into subgroups according to gender (male or female), age (45-59, middle-aged or ≥ 60, elderly people), and residence (rural or urban). The odds ratios (ORs) were compared between subgroups using multivariable logistic regression analysis method. RESULTS: The adjusted OR value (OR = 1.19 [95% CI 1.07-1.33]) shows there is a significant association between depressive symptoms and subsequent fall accidents. The ORs of the female, elderly people, rural, and urban subgroups are 1.31 (95% CI 1.11-1.55), 1.24 (95% CI 1.08-1.43), 1.17 (95% CI 1.02-1.33), and 1.25 (95% CI 1.04-1.49), respectively, which reveals that this association is also statistically significant in these subgroups. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that there is a significant association between depressive symptoms and their subsequent fall accidents among the Chinese middle-aged and elderly people.
Accidental Falls ; statistics & numerical data ; Age Factors ; Aged ; China ; Depression ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Odds Ratio ; Residence Characteristics ; statistics & numerical data ; Sex Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors

Objective: To estimate the incidence and distribution characteristics of fall related injury in people aged ≥50 years in 8 provinces in China and related physiological, psychological and social risk factors. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from adults aged ≥50 years participating in the World Health Organization (WHO) study on global ageing and adult health (SAGE) round 1 in China. Two-level hierarchical logistic model was used to identify the related factors for fall-related injury. All the models were stratified by living area (urban/rural). Results: Estimated incidence of fall related injury (road traffic injury was not included) was 3.2%. Ageing and multiple chronic conditions (OR=2.55, 95%CI: 1.41-4.64) was significantly associated with the incidence of fall related injury in urban area. In rural area, depression (OR=4.33, 95% CI: 2.52-7.42) and multiple chronic conditions (OR=2.46, 95%CI: 1.37-4.41) were associated with the incidence of fall related injury. Conclusions: This study estimated the incidence of fall related injury in adults aged ≥50 years in 8 provinces in China. A significant association between multiple chronic conditions and fall related injury were found in both urban and rural residents. Targeted measures should be taken for the prevention and control of chronic diseases in elderly population.
Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; China ; Chronic Disease/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression/epidemiology* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Wounds and Injuries/etiology*

Objective: To evaluate the frailty status and understand the relationship between the incidence of fall and frailty status in the elderly in Beijing. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in old people aged ≥60 years in Longtan community of Dongcheng district in Beijing from November 2015 to January 2016. The information about any fall during the past year and frailty status of the elderly were collected with a standardized structured questionnaire in face-to-face interviews. The frailty status of elderly people was assessed with frailty index (FI) method. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between fall and frailty status among the elderly. Results: Among 1 557 old people surveyed, the incidence of fall was 17.8% (277/1 557) during the past year. The incidence of fall in women (21.0%, 192/277) was statistically higher than that in men (13.3%, 85/277) (χ(2)=15.288, P=0.000). The median (quartile) value of FI of the elderly surveyed was 0.09 (0.08); and women had a higher FI median value than men [0.10 (0.08) versus 0.08 (0.07)](Z=5.376, P=0.000). The median FI value (quartile range) of 277 old people with history of fall in previous year was 0.12 (0.11), which was higher than the median FI value of 0.08 (0.07) of 1 280 old people without fall history (Z=7.501, P=0.000). Logistic regression analysis showed that higher FI value was associated with more risks for fall; and FI value showed the greatest impact on the incidence and frequency of fall (OR=1.093, 2.234) compared with other related factors of fall, such as age and gender. Conclusion: Frailty status has a greater impact on both incidence and frequency of fall compared with other factors in elderly people in Beijing; more attention should be paid to weak and old adults in the prevention of fall.
Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Aged ; Beijing ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Frail Elderly ; Frailty ; Geriatric Assessment ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Urban Population

Objective: To investigate the demographic characteristics of falls and fall-related injuries in Chinese elderly population. Methods: In 2013, the 4(th) round Chronic Non-communicable Disease and Risk Factor Surveillance in China was conducted in 31 provinces. A stratified multi-stage cluster sampling was used to select the samples. A total number of 98 629 community-based adults aged 60 years and older received a set of standardized questionnaires with a face to face interview. The prevalence rates of falls and consequent injuries were compared between different genders, age groups, levels of education and areas of residency. Results: The overall prevalence of falls among elderly in the previous 6 months was 8.0%(95%CI: 7.5%-8.5%). The prevalence was increasing with age and decreasing with the levels of education, and higher in females (9.1%) than in males (6.8%), with differences statistically significant (χ(2)=74.1, P<0.01). Prevalence rates were also seen higher in rural (8.6%), in widowed (11.0%) residents and in farmers or house workers than those in urban areas (7.2%), in non-widowed (7.0%), or having other jobs, with differences all statistically significant (χ(2)=7.7, P<0.01, χ(2)=128.0, P<0.01). 52.6% of the elderly got injured when fell. The proportion of injury was greater in females (54.8%) than that in males (49.6%), with differences statistically significant (χ(2)=10.2, P<0.01). Proportion of most frequent types of injuries were hip fractures (7.3%), hand/arm fractures (12.5%), head injury (8.0%) and bruise (53.6%) respectively. The proportion of hip fractures was 12.4% in elderly over 80 year of age, also was the highest. Conclusions: Results from the present study showed that elderly suffered high prevalence of falls.Statistically significant differences were seen in residents with different groups as genders, age, education levels, marital status, urban/rural areas or jobs. Group-based comprehensive prevention and intervention on falls should be strengthened.
Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; Asian People ; China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Fractures, Bone/ethnology* ; Hip Fractures/ethnology* ; Humans ; Male ; Prevalence ; Residence Characteristics ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Sex Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urban Population

Objective: To explore the relationship between frailty syndrome and falls in the elderly diabetics, in the communities. Methods: A three-year cohort study involving 653 community-dwelling adults who were over 65 years of age and participated in the Survey of Disease, Psychological and Social Needs in Dujiangyan Pingyi Community. Diabetic patients would include those who self-reported as having histories of diabetes or on anti-hyperglycemic therapies. Frailty, functional and other geriatric status were assessed respectively. Falls was defined as having had multiple falls or at least one event but with injury. Results: The highest prevalence of falls was found in the group of frail diabetic group (62.5%). Data showed that baseline frailty was associated with falls in both diabetic and non-diabetic groups but the odds ratio in the diabetic group was higher than that of the non-diabetic group (OR=3.87, 95%CI: 1.45-10.28 vs. OR=6.68, 95%CI: 1.14-38.99). Conclusion: Frailty could be used as a strong clinical predictor to prevent falls, for the elderly diabetic Chinese living in the communities.
Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Frail Elderly/statistics & numerical data* ; Frailty/epidemiology* ; Geriatric Assessment/methods* ; Humans ; Independent Living ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Syndrome

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

Accidental Falls ; statistics & numerical data ; Accidents, Traffic ; statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Athletic Injuries ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; epidemiology ; surgery ; Male ; Medial Collateral Ligament, Knee ; injuries ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Motorcycles ; Orthopedics ; Pedestrians ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; injuries ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Retrospective Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Trauma Centers ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study aims to evaluate the prevalence of maxillofacial trauma in a developing country, along with its pattern, etiology and management. Data for the present study were collected from the Department of Dentistry, ESIC Medical College and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Chennai in India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients treated for maxillofacial injuries between May 2014 and November 2015 were retrospectively retrieved and analyzed for prevalence, pattern, etiology, and management of maxillofacial trauma. SPSS software version 16.0 was used for the data analysis. RESULTS: Maxillofacial fractures accounts for 93.3% of total injuries. The mean and standard deviation for the age of the patients were 35.0±11.8 years and with a minimum age of 5 years and maximum age of 75 years. Adults from 20 to 40 years age groups were more commonly involved, with a male to female ratio of 3:1. There was a statistically significantly higher proportion of males more commonly involved in accident and injuries (P <0.001). CONCLUSION: The most common etiology of maxillofacial injury was road traffic accidents (RTA) followed by falls and assaults, the sports injuries seem to be very less. In RTA, motorized two-wheelers (MTW) were the most common cause of incidents. The majority of victims of RTA were young adult males between the ages of 20 to 40 years. The malar bone and maxilla were the most common sites of fracture, followed by the mandible. The right side of the zygomatic complex was the predominant side of MTW injury. The majority of the zygomatic complex fractures were treated by conservative management. Open reduction and internal fixation were performed for indicated fracture patients.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Adult ; Athletic Injuries ; Dentistry ; Developing Countries* ; Female ; Humans ; India ; Male ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Maxillofacial Injuries ; Medical Records ; Prevalence* ; Retrospective Studies* ; Statistics as Topic ; Young Adult ; Zygoma

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