Suelves Josep M, Martínez Vicenç, Medina Antonia
Departamento de Salud de la Generalidad de Cataluña, Dirección General de Salud Pública, Barcelona.
Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2010 Jan;27(1):37-42. doi: 10.1590/s1020-49892010000100006.
To assess, based on a population health survey, what proportion of individuals in a sample of non-institutionalized older persons suffered injuries from unintentional falls, and to evaluate the associated demographic and health-related factors.
A total of 3,247 individuals over 65 years of age, selected by multistage random sampling, participated in the Health Survey of Cataluña (ESCA-2006), answering an interviewer-administered questionnaire that included questions about injuries from falls, and any relevant associated factors, during the 12 months preceding the survey.
Of the respondents, 14.9% reported having been injured by falling. Multivariate analysis indicated that sex, age, living alone, taking five or more medications, and suffering from mobility problems, diabetes, or musculoskeletal disorders were associated with an increased risk of injury from falls. However, no statistically significant effect was observed from sensory or communication impairment, cardiovascular disease, cataracts, or alcohol consumption.
Health care services, which are often in contact with the elderly, can identify those who are at increased risk of falling and put into place a variety of proven, preventive interventions. Though somewhat limited, population health surveys provide useful information regarding the burden of fall-related injuries on elderly health and complement data provided by other sources.
基于一项人群健康调查，评估非机构化老年人样本中因意外跌倒而受伤的个体比例，并评估相关的人口统计学和健康相关因素。
通过多阶段随机抽样选取了3247名65岁以上的个体，他们参与了加泰罗尼亚健康调查（ESCA - 2006），回答了一份由访员管理的问卷，其中包括在调查前12个月内有关跌倒受伤及任何相关因素的问题。
在受访者中，14.9%报告曾因跌倒受伤。多变量分析表明，性别、年龄、独居、服用五种或更多药物以及患有行动不便问题、糖尿病或肌肉骨骼疾病与跌倒受伤风险增加相关。然而，未观察到感觉或沟通障碍、心血管疾病、白内障或饮酒有统计学显著影响。
经常与老年人接触的医疗保健服务机构能够识别出跌倒风险增加的人群，并实施各种经过验证的预防干预措施。尽管人群健康调查存在一定局限性，但它能提供有关跌倒相关伤害对老年人健康负担的有用信息，并补充其他来源提供的数据。
