[Assessment of risk of falls in the elderly through a screening protocol in primary care]

To evaluate the extent to which the "frail elderly" protocol is applied in the population aged more than 79 years and the results for each of its subsections, and to evaluate the association between a history of falls in the subpopulation in which the protocol was applied and the protocol's screening variables.

A multicenter, observational, cross-sectional, cross association study was performed between July 2003 and December 2005 in 4 semi-urban health areas of Baix Empordá (Gerona, Spain) with a population of 81,548 inhabitants, of which 4.6% are > 79 years of age. The study population consisted of men and women aged > 79 years (target population for the computer protocol). Patients receiving home care were excluded. Data were extracted from the program's database.

A total of 3,386 persons were studied, of whom the protocol was applied in 1,260 (37.2%). Thirty-six percent (449 elders) had a history of falls. A statistically significant relationship (p<0.005) was found between a history of falls and the following variables: the presence of physical barriers, having an incapacitating disorder, taking more than five drugs, taking psychiatric medications, alterations on the unipodal test, altered time up and go test or Whisper test, altered vision, need for assistance in basic activities daily living, leaving the home < 2 times per week, and absence of recreational activities.

The protocol is useful for the detection of elderly individuals at risk of falling, since most of the variables showed a statistically significant relationship with falls. Application of this protocol should be encouraged.