Deakin University, Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation (IMPACT), School of Medicine - Barwon Health, Geelong, VIC, Australia.
School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mizan-Tepi University, Mizan Teferi, Ethiopia.
Front Public Health. 2024 Oct 18;12:1454117. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1454117. eCollection 2024.
Falls are a significant public health challenge, especially among older adults. In Australia, falls and related injuries incur an annual cost of $2.3 billion. However, there is a scarcity of prevalence data on falls among population-based groups. This study aimed to report the characteristics, circumstances, and treatment for falls and fall-related injuries in a population-based sample of Australian men and women.
Participants from the Geelong Osteoporosis Study provided cross-sectional data: baseline for men (2001-2006) and 10-year follow-up for women (2004-2008). Falls over the previous 12 months were self-reported by 2,631 participants aged 20-97 years (1,533 men and 1,098 women). The study described the timing, location, cause, and treatment of falls. Fall prevalence was standardized to the 2006 Australian population. Data collection included self-reported prior fractures, medication, disease conditions, anthropometry, and biochemical tests. Binary logistic regression identified factors linked to fall-related injuries.
Fall rates by age group: 20-29 (24.4%), 30-39 (21.5%), 40-49 (18.7%), 50-59 (24.9%), 60-69 (25.0%), 70-79 (34.6%), 80+ (40.5%). The age-standardized prevalence of falls was 25.0% (95% CI: 23.4-26.7%). In adults ≥65 years, the age-standardized prevalence of falls was 32.4% (95% CI: 29.3-35.5%). Fallers were typically older, less mobile, had higher BMI and cholesterol levels, and were more likely to have musculoskeletal conditions, cancer, and polypharmacy. Men had a higher fall risk, but fewer fall-related fractures compared to women. Most falls occurred outdoors (62.1%), were due to extrinsic cause (58.5%), and were on the same level (78.5%). Factors associated with fall-related injuries included being female, elevated falls and falls outside the home. Nearly half (45.7%) of those injured sought medical attention, primarily from general practitioners (25.7%) and emergency departments (12.6%).
Falls are common, occurring in approximately one quarter of adults in this study, with a greater prevalence among those ≥65 years. Women experienced fewer multiple falls than men. Many participants sought medical attention, primarily from general practitioners. This research identifies fall characteristics and circumstances, informing targeted prevention strategies to reduce occurrences and alleviate burdens on healthcare systems and individuals.
跌倒对老年人来说是一个重大的公共健康挑战。在澳大利亚，跌倒及其相关伤害每年造成 23 亿美元的损失。然而，基于人群的跌倒发生率数据却十分匮乏。本研究旨在报告澳大利亚男女人群中基于人群的样本中跌倒和与跌倒相关伤害的特征、情况和治疗方法。
来自 Geelong 骨质疏松研究的参与者提供了横断面数据：男性的基线数据（2001-2006 年）和女性的 10 年随访数据（2004-2008 年）。2006 名年龄在 20-97 岁之间的参与者（1533 名男性和 1098 名女性）自我报告了过去 12 个月内的跌倒情况。本研究描述了跌倒的时间、地点、原因和治疗情况。跌倒发生率按年龄组标准化为 2006 年澳大利亚人口。数据收集包括自我报告的既往骨折、药物使用、疾病状况、人体测量学和生化检查。二元逻辑回归确定了与跌倒相关伤害相关的因素。
按年龄组划分的跌倒发生率：20-29 岁（24.4%）、30-39 岁（21.5%）、40-49 岁（18.7%）、50-59 岁（24.9%）、60-69 岁（25.0%）、70-79 岁（34.6%）、80 岁及以上（40.5%）。年龄标准化的跌倒发生率为 25.0%（95%CI：23.4-26.7%）。在≥65 岁的成年人中，年龄标准化的跌倒发生率为 32.4%（95%CI：29.3-35.5%）。跌倒者通常年龄较大、行动不便、BMI 和胆固醇水平较高，且更有可能患有肌肉骨骼疾病、癌症和多药治疗。男性跌倒风险较高，但与女性相比，跌倒相关骨折较少。大多数跌倒发生在户外（62.1%），归因于外在原因（58.5%），且多发生在同一水平（78.5%）。与跌倒相关伤害相关的因素包括女性、跌倒次数增加和跌倒发生在户外。近一半（45.7%）受伤者寻求医疗，主要是全科医生（25.7%）和急诊（12.6%）。
跌倒很常见，本研究中约四分之一的成年人会发生跌倒，≥65 岁的成年人发生率更高。女性发生多次跌倒的情况比男性少。许多参与者寻求医疗，主要是全科医生。本研究确定了跌倒的特征和情况，为有针对性的预防策略提供了信息，以减少跌倒的发生并减轻医疗系统和个人的负担。
