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Revista de la Universidad Industrial de Santander. Salud
Print version ISSN 0121-0807On-line version ISSN 2145-8464
Abstract
SUAREZ-LANDAZABAL, Olga and PARODY-MUNOZ, Alexander Elias. Prevalence of falls and intrinsic risk factors in older adults. Barranquilla (Atlántico), Colombia. Rev. Univ. Ind. Santander. Salud [online]. 2023, vol.55, e25. Epub Nov 26, 2023. ISSN 0121-0807. https://doi.org/10.18273/saluduis.55.e:23011.
Introduction:
Fall risk can be related to multiple factors, whether they are of extrinsic or intrinsic nature. Falls are considered the main mechanism of accidental injury in the elderly.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of falls and intrinsic risk factors in older adults in the city of Barranquilla (Colombia).
Materials and methods:
A descriptive correlation study was carried out on 98 institutionalized and community elderly adults from Barranquilla (Atlántico), Colombia. A survey on intrinsic risk factors was applied; the risk of falling was measured with the Berg scale and levels of Vitamin D in the blood were established.
Results:
The participant's average age was 75 years old, considering that the oldest ages were in the institutionalized population. The general prevalence of falls was 49% in the last year, 68.8% of the population that presented falls were women, and the highest proportion of falls occurred with residents of geriatric homes (52,1%). Women coming from the community fell more than men (91,3%) showing statistical significance compared to falls (p-value of 0,002). The consumption of antihypertensive drugs was the one with the highest proportion (92%), which showed statistical significance for the institutionalized population (p-value of 0,0224). The high and moderate risk of falls was higher in the institutionalized population (32%). Insufficient vitamin D levels (79,2% of those that fell) had a higher prevalence in women, without statistical significance.
Conclusion:
The elderly population has a high prevalence of falls, especially in women and in the population institutionalized in geriatric centers. The facts that presented statistical significance were being a woman and coming from the community, along with the consumption of antihypertensives in the institutionalized population.
Keywords : Elderly; Intrinsic factor; Postural balance.