Accidental falls in middle-aged women

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Gerontology

Background:

• Accidental falls are a significant health concern, particularly among women.
• Understanding the prevalence and associated factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the prevalence of accidental falls in women aged 35-75.
• To identify sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors associated with falls in 2007 and 2014.

Main Methods:

• Two cross-sectional studies conducted in 2007 and 2014 using probabilistic samples of women.
• Data collected via face-to-face interviews, anthropometric measurements, and blood tests.
• Statistical analysis included prevalence estimation and multiple logistic regression to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of accidental falls was 17.6% in 2007 and 17.2% in 2014.
• Associated factors included age (50-64 years), hyperuricemia, and depression in both years.
• Other factors identified were high school education, poor sleep, and daytime sleepiness in 2007; metabolic syndrome and musculoskeletal pain in 2014.

Conclusions:

• Accidental falls are prevalent in women aged 50 and over, highlighting the need for early preventive interventions.
• Falls are multifactorial, with consistent associations found for age, hyperuricemia, and depression across study years.
• Hyperuricemia emerges as a potential novel risk factor for accidental falls in women.