Factores asociados a caídas en adultos mayores chilenos: evidencia de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010 / Factors associated with falls in older adults in chile: analysis of the National Health Survey 2009-2010

ABSTRACT

Background: A decrease in functional capacity due to ageing is one of the main risk factors for falls in older people. Aim: To investigate factors associated with falls in Chilean older adults. Material and Methods: We analyzed the self-reports of falls of 1,334 people aged ≥ 60 years who answered the National Health Survey 2009-2010. Falls during the last 12 months were recorded. Lifestyle, socio-demographic and health status were analyzed. A Poisson regression with robust variance estimates was performed to identify factors associated with falls. Results: Falls during the preceding year were reported by 37% of respondents (95% confidence intervals (CI) 32-42]. Fall frequency was higher in women (Prevalence ratio (PR)1.30 [95% CI1.11; 1.53], p < 0.01) and those aged ≥ 75 years (PR1.29 [95% CI1.04; 1.61], p = 0.02). Hearing impairment (PR 1.31 [95% CI 1.07; 1.61], p < 0.01), impaired vision (PR1.46 [95% CI1.20; 1.77], p < 0.01), low self-reported wellbeing (PR 1.41 [95% CI 1.03; 1.94], p = 0.03) and disability (PR 1.54 [95% CI1.32; 1.79], p < 0.01) were associated with falls. However, multimorbidity (having ≥ 3 diseases) was negatively associated with falls (PR 0.79 [95% CI 0.63; 0.99], p = 0.04). Conclusions: Among older people, female sex, being aged > 75 years and having disability, hearing or vision impairment are risk factors for falls.