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Incidence and circumstances of falls among middle-aged women: a cohort study

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posted on 2023-05-20, 18:09 authored by Wang, M, Feitong WuFeitong Wu, Michele CallisayaMichele Callisaya, Graeme JonesGraeme Jones, Tania WinzenbergTania Winzenberg
Summary: This was the first study assessing falls prospectively in middle-aged women. The 1-year incidence was 42% for any fall, which suggest falls are a major issue in middle-aged women. Middle-aged women, particularly those sustaining a fall, could be a target group for fall-prevention strategies.

Purpose: Incidence and circumstances of falls in middle-aged people are poorly understood. This cohort study aimed to elucidate the incidence and circumstances of falls over 1 year in middle-aged women.

Methods: Falls were recorded monthly for 1 year by questionnaire in 2017-2019 in a population-based sample of women aged 41-62 years. The incidence of falls and injurious falls and related circumstances were descriptively analysed.

Results: Of 273 women, 115 sustained 209 falls. The 1-year incidence was 42% for any fall, 17% for multiple (two or more) falls, and 24% for injurious falls. The incidence was greater in older age groups for any fall (33, 45, and 44% for people aged < 50, 50-55, and > 55 years, respectively), multiple falls (7, 14, and 22%) and injurious falls (15, 20, and 28%), although only the incidence of multiple falls was significantly increased across the three age groups (P = 0.01). Most falls occurred outdoors (71%) and were attributed to tripping and slipping (60%).

Conclusions: Falls are a major issue in middle-aged women, a group that has been largely ignored in the prevention of falls. Middle-aged women, in particular those sustaining a fall, could be a target group for fall-prevention strategies. Future studies are needed to identify risk factors for falling in this population so as inform the development of strategies for preventing falls in middle-aged women.

History

Publication title

Osteoporosis International

Pagination

1-9

ISSN

0937-941X

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Springer-Verlag London Ltd

Place of publication

Sweetapple House Catteshall Road, Godalming, England, Surrey, Gu7 3Dj

Rights statement

Copyright International Osteoporosis Foundation and National Osteoporosis Foundation 2020

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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