Prevalence and Factors Associated with Falls among Older Outpatients

Ha Van-Anh Thi, Tam Ngoc Nguyen, Thanh Xuan Nguyen, Huong Thi Thu Nguyen, Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen, Anh Trung Nguyen, Thang Pham and Huyen Thi Thanh Vu
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Ha Van-Anh Thi: Outpatient Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Tam Ngoc Nguyen: Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thanh Xuan Nguyen: Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Huong Thi Thu Nguyen: Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen: Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Anh Trung Nguyen: Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Thang Pham: Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Huyen Thi Thanh Vu: Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-11

Abstract: Falls in older people are a major public health issue, as they are associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with falls among older outpatients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 539 outpatients aged 60 and over at the National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam. Falls and their associated factors were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of falls was 23.7% (single fall 17.9%, recurrent falls 5.8%). The majority of falls occurred at home (69.6%) and were caused by a slippery floor (51.6%). After falling, most patients sustained physical injuries (65.6%); notably, women suffered more severe injuries than men. Alcohol consumption, using psychotropic medications, having three or more comorbidities, hypertension, COPD, urinary incontinence, frailty, fear of falling, ADL/IADL limitation, slow walking speed and mobility impairment were significantly associated with falls. Overall, the data indicated that falls were prevalent among older outpatients. Behavior factors, comorbidities, geriatric syndromes and physical function were substantially associated with falls, suggesting that most falls are preventable. Further longitudinal studies of longer periods are needed to comprehensively investigate the risk factors for falls.

Keywords: falls; elderly; outpatients; geriatric syndromes; associated factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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