Abstract
Objetivos
Estimar la prevalencia de caídas, los factores asociados y sus consecuencias en ancianos ≥70 años en 2 comunidades, previo a un estudio de intervención.
Diseño
Estudio descriptivo transversal.
Emplazamiento
Dos comunidades mixtas urbanas-rurales.
Participantes
Muestra de personas ≥70 años, 329 para el grupo de intervención (GI) y 372 para el grupo control (GC). Muestreo aleatorio o sistemático.
Mediciones y resultados principales
Con un intervalo de confianza (IC) del 95% observamos en los que serán, respectivamente, GI y GC: varones, 38,9% (33,6-44,4) y 41,6% (36,6-46,9); media de edad de 80,11 (79,49-80,73) y 78,42 años (77,77-79,07); mayores de 80 años, 41,9% (37,4-46,4) y 32,8% (29,5-36); nivel de dependencia elevado según el índice de Katz, 10,3% (9,2-11,4) y 13,2% (11,9-14,5); personas que se han caído en el último año, 28,9% (25,8-31,9) y 32% (28,8-35,2); caídas recurrentes en personas que se han caído 34,7% (25,2-45,2) y 37% (28,3-46,3); número total de caídas, 166 y 218. Del total de caídas precisan asistencia médica el 45,4% (37,1-54) y el 30,3% (24,3-36,8); ingresos hospitalarios, 7,3% (3,8-12,3) y 5% (2,5-8,8); presentan fracturas el 10,4% (6-16,3) y el 6,9% (3,9-11,2). Las caídas ocurren principalmente en casa (61 y 56,5%); por causas ambientales (40 y 54%) y problemas de movilidad (37,5 y 36%); las lesiones más frecuentes son las inciso-contusas (86,1 y 77,9%).
Conclusión
En ambos grupos la prevalencia de personas que se han caído coincide con la de la mayoría de los estudios. Tampoco existen diferencias relevantes respecto a las características principales de las caídas y sus lesiones derivadas.
Palabras clave: Caídas, Ancianos, Comunidad
Abstract
Objective
To calculate the prevalence of falls, linked factors and their consequences in elderly people ≥70 in two communities, prior to an intervention study.
Design
Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Setting
2 mixed urban-rural communities.
Participants
Sample of people ≥70, 329 in the intervention group (IG) and 372 in the control group (CG). Randomised and systematic sampling.
Main measurements and results
With a 95% confidence interval, we observed the differences between the IG (first) and the CG (second): men, 38.9% (33.6-44.4) and 41.6% (36.6-46.9); mean age, 80.11 (79.49-80.73) and 78.42 (77.77-79.07) years old; over 80, 41.9% (37.4-46.4) and 32.8% (29.5-36); high level of dependence on Katz index, 10.3% (9.2-11.4) and 13.2% (11.9-14.5); 28.9% (25.8-31.9) and 32% (28.8-35.2) had fallen in the preceding year; recurrent falls in people who had already fallen, 34.7% (25.2-45.2) and 37% (28.3-46.3); total number of falls, 166 and 218. Of the total number of falls, 45.4% (37.1-54) and 30.3% (24.3-36.8) required medical care; 7.3% (3.8-12.3) and 5% (2.5-8.8) needed hospital admission; and 10.4% (6-16.3) and 6.9% (3.9-11.2) presented fractures. Falls mainly occurred at home (61% and 56.5%); for reasons of their environment (40% and 54%) and mobility problems (37.5% and 36%). The most common lesions were cuts and bruises (86.1% and 77.9%).
Conclusion
In both groups the prevalence of people who had fallen coincided with most other studies. Nor were there relevant differences concerning the main features of the falls and the lesions occasioned.
Key words: Falls, Elderly, Community
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