Study on treatment and disease burden of falls injuries in elderly population / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the status and economic burden of falls in elderly people living in an urban community and tO provide evidence for prevention of falls in the elderly. Methods A cross-section study was conducted in a community in Beijing.A total of 1512 persons aged 60 years and over were selected with stratified cluster sampling,and the data about falls within the past 12months,the consequences and the direct economic burden were collected by face-to-face interview.Results The overall incidence of falls was 18.0%within 1 year among 1512 interviewees.Of the participants,8.7%(131 cases)suffered from injuries of falls(143 times)and 77.6%(111 times)adopted the corresponding treatments.Direct economic burden caused by falls totaled 741.82 yuan per fall,including direct medical cost 650.77 yuan per fall,and 244.76 yuan per fall should be paid by the elderly themselves.In 143 times of falls,74.8%recovered and a few(5 cases)had complications and disability accordingly. Conclusions The incidence of fall in an urban elderly community of Beijing is high and will cause huge economic burden.