Factores asociados a caídas en adultos mayores chilenos: evidencia Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010

Resumen

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% CI:1.11; 1.53], p<0.01) and those aged ?75 years (PR:1.29 [95% CI:1.04; 1.61], p=0.02). Hearing impairment (PR:1.31 [95% CI:1.07; 1.61], p<0.01), impaired vision (PR:1.46 [95% CI:1.20; 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% CI:1.32; 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.