Fall-related admission and mortality in older adults in Brazil: trend analysis

To analyze the trend of fall-related morbidity and mortality in older adults in Brazil from 1996 to 2012.

This is an ecological study of fall-related admission and mortality rate trends in older adults by gender, Brazilian regions, and Brazilian state capitals using data from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Healthcare System (SIH-SUS) and from the National Mortality Information System (SIM). Trend analyses were based on polynomial regression models.

Mortality rates increased in all regions and state capitals, and admission trends varied in regions and state capitals. The admission rates in 1996 and 2012 were 2.58 and 41.37 per 10,000 older adults, respectively, and the mortality rates per 10,000 older adults increased from 1.25 in 1996 to 3.75 in 2012. Males mortality rates were higher during the entire period.

Fall-related mortality and admission rates increased in Brazil but varied by gender and state of residence. The results of this study do not only monitor the problem over time but may also help plan technological and human resources to prevent and control falls.