[Urinary incontinence in the prediction of falls in hospitalized elderly]

Analyzing the effect of urinary incontinence as a predictor of the incidence of falls among hospitalized elderly.

Concurrent cohort study where 221 elderly inpatients were followed from the date of admission until discharge, death or fall. The Kaplan-Meier methods, the incidence density and the Cox regression model were used for the survival analysis and the assessment of the association between the exposure variable and the other variables.

Urinary incontinence was a strong predictor of falls in the surveyed elderly, and was associated with shorter time until the occurrence of event. Urinary incontinence, concomitant with gait and balance dysfunction and use of antipsychotics was associated with falls.

Measures to prevent the risk of falls specific to hospitalized elderly patients who have urinary incontinence are necessary.