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Prevalence and Factors Associated with Falls among Older Outpatients

Author

Listed:
  • Van-Anh Thi Ha

    (Outpatient Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Tam Ngoc Nguyen

    (Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Thanh Xuan Nguyen

    (Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    Dinh Tien Hoang Institute of Medicine, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Huong Thi Thu Nguyen

    (Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen

    (Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Anh Trung Nguyen

    (Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Thang Pham

    (Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Huyen Thi Thanh Vu

    (Department of Geriatrics, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    Scientific Research Department, National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

Abstract

Falls in older people are a major public health issue, as they are associated with increased risks of morbidity and mortality. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with falls among older outpatients. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 539 outpatients aged 60 and over at the National Geriatric Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam. Falls and their associated factors were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of falls was 23.7% (single fall 17.9%, recurrent falls 5.8%). The majority of falls occurred at home (69.6%) and were caused by a slippery floor (51.6%). After falling, most patients sustained physical injuries (65.6%); notably, women suffered more severe injuries than men. Alcohol consumption, using psychotropic medications, having three or more comorbidities, hypertension, COPD, urinary incontinence, frailty, fear of falling, ADL/IADL limitation, slow walking speed and mobility impairment were significantly associated with falls. Overall, the data indicated that falls were prevalent among older outpatients. Behavior factors, comorbidities, geriatric syndromes and physical function were substantially associated with falls, suggesting that most falls are preventable. Further longitudinal studies of longer periods are needed to comprehensively investigate the risk factors for falls.

Suggested Citation

  • Van-Anh Thi Ha & Tam Ngoc Nguyen & Thanh Xuan Nguyen & Huong Thi Thu Nguyen & Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen & Anh Trung Nguyen & Thang Pham & Huyen Thi Thanh Vu, 2021. "Prevalence and Factors Associated with Falls among Older Outpatients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4041-:d:534513
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kathryn Mitchell-Fearon & Kenneth James & Norman Waldron & Desmalee Holder-Nevins & Douladel Willie-Tyndale & Hazel Laws & Denise Eldemire-Shearer, 2014. "Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Jamaica," SAGE Open, , vol. 4(4), pages 21582440145, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kun Wang & Meijun Chen & Xiaoyue Zhang & Lanchao Zhang & Chun Chang & Yu Tian & Xiaofeng Wang & Zhijing Li & Ying Ji, 2022. "The Incidence of Falls and Related Factors among Chinese Elderly Community Residents in Six Provinces," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Niruwan Turnbull & Pichayasuda Cherdsakul & Sutin Chanaboon & David Hughes & Kukiat Tudpor, 2022. "Tooth Loss, Cognitive Impairment and Fall Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study of Older Adults in Rural Thailand," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-9, November.
    3. Andréa Gomes Martins Gaspar & Pedro Escada & Luís Velez Lapão, 2021. "How Can We Develop an Efficient eHealth Service for Provision of Care for Elderly People with Balance Disorders and Risk of Falling? A Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-18, July.
    4. Filipe Rodrigues & António M. Monteiro & Pedro Forte & Pedro Morouço, 2023. "Effects of Muscle Strength, Agility, and Fear of Falling on Risk of Falling in Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-8, March.
    5. Chen Li & Jiaji Wu & Yi Huang, 2023. "Spatial–Temporal Patterns and Coupling Characteristics of Rural Elderly Care Institutions in China: Sustainable Human Settlements Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-27, February.
    6. Andréa Gomes Martins Gaspar & Luís Velez Lapão, 2022. "A Digital Health Service for Elderly People with Balance Disorders and Risk of Falling: A Design Science Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-17, February.

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