[Circumstances associated to falls resulting in hip fracture in community-dwelling subjects older than 94 years old].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the circumstances associated with falls resulting in hip fracture in the 95 years of age or older community-dwelling patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A prospective, observational study, was conducted in 6 hospitals in the Barcelona area on the characteristics associated with falls resulting in hip fracture in 30 patients aged > 94 years old. Location, time and the risk factor for the fall (classified as intrinsic, extrinsic or combined) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Mean number of falls in the previous year was 1.6, 5 (16.7%) of the patients reporting having fallen two or more times. Falls usually occurred while at home, a high percentage (46.7%) of which occurred during the night. When the differences were evaluated by sex, there was a high percentage of uncorrected auditory loss in men and high number of chronic drugs and psychotropic drugs in women.

CONCLUSIONS

Most falls causing hip fracture in community-dwelling very elderly subjects occur at home. Nearly half of the falls occur during the night.