[The causes of falls and injuries after falls in women over the age of 50 living alone in Krakow].

INTRODUCTION

Falls are one of the most devastating health problems of elderly people. The identification of causes of falls helps to establish proper prevention strategies.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was based on a group of community-dwelling, independent women aged over 50 years. The frequency of falls was calculated on the basis of a retrospective analysis of 1326 cases. 100 women were chosen for a telephone questionnaire to identify causes and consequences of falls. The average age was 63.9 (SD 8.6) and the average BMI was 27.6 (SD 5.4).

RESULTS

Approximately 31% of 1326 women reported at least one fall a year. In the year preceding the questionnaire 62% of the participants reported one fall, 26%--two falls, 8%--three falls and 5%--four and more falls. In the surveyed group of 100 women 72% of falls occurred outdoors, which is 2.5 times more often than at home (28%). 68% of falls occurred between 12 pm and 6 pm. Summer is the season of the highest occurrence of falls (37%). In winter, the frequency of outdoor falls increases, whereas during summer the frequency of falls happening in and outdoors does not differ. The most frequent cause of falls, both in and outdoors, was slipping. Other important risk factors include: hypnotic drugs, walking impairments, balance deficit, vertigo, analgesics. Most of the falls had various intrinsic and extrinsic causes.

KEY POINTS: We found that 30% of women aged over 50 years falls at least once a year. Both at home and outside falls resulted from slipping. For almost 80% of falls as a consequence of an injury. The majority of falls had intrinsic and extrinsic origins.