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Ann Geriatr Med Res > Volume 14(1); 2010 > Article
Journal of the Korean Geriatrics Society 2010;14(1):8-17.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4235/jkgs.2010.14.1.8    Published online March 31, 2010.
Falls in a Proportional Region Population in Korean Elderly: Incidence, Consequences, and Risk Factors
Jae Young Lim, Won Beom Park, Min Kyun Oh, Eun Kyoung Kang, Nam Jong Paik
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. njpaik@snu.ac.kr
2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
3Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Incheon Sarang Hospital, Incheon, Korea.
4Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.
5Seoul Bukbu Geriatric Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
한국 노인의 낙상 실태와 위험요인: 일부 지역의 인구비례 할당 표본 조사
임재영1,2ㆍ박원범3ㆍ오민균4ㆍ강은경5ㆍ백남종1,2
서울대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실1, 분당서울대학교병원 재활의학과2, 인천사랑병원 재활의학과3,
경상대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실4, 서울특별시 북부노인병원5
Abstract
BACKGROUND
To investigate the occurrence of falls and their consequences in a representative population and to identify risk factors of falls in the elderly.
METHODS
The study participants were community-dwelling elderly people aged 65 years or old as a population based sample of one large city. A total of 828 people 65 years or older participated in this study. They were interviewed over the telephone by a trained interviewer using a structured questionnaire to obtain a fall history and details of their most recent fall including date, time, place, circumstances, and associated injury. As for risk factors for falls, we asked about living arrangement (with family or alone), alcohol intake, exercise, visual and hearing impairments, memory and sensory problems, lower limb weakness, and arthritis symptoms. Fear of falling and fear-related activity restriction were also evaluated.
RESULTS
The incidence of falls during the last one year was 13.0%. Women experienced falls more frequently. Falls occurred mainly in spring and summer and from 10 AM to 3 PM. Common causes of falls were slipping and tripping. 14.9% of those who fell suffered consequent fractures. Being female was a significant risk factor for falls; and females tended to get injured more severely following a fall. During the recent one year, decreased proprioception in the lower extremity was a significant risk factor for falls. Those with histories of falls, and especially women, tended to limit their activities due to the fear of falling.
CONCLUSION
Overall, it appears that elderly women are more greatly affected by falls at several levels. Female participants fell more frequently and suffered more severe consequences. Fall-related injuries and risk factors for falls disproportionately affected women. And, being female and any amount of decreased sensation in the feet were significant risk factors for falls.
Key Words: Fall, Risk factors, Aged
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