Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Ankara
Gazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı, Ankara Tin this cross-sectional study the fall frequency and risk factors in elderly people were investigated. Health problems that might be a risk factor for fall and presence of a fall history in the last 6 months were asked to 1078 subjects who were older than 50 years old, living in Ankara-Gölbaşı district. Dynamic balance was assessed with "get-up and go" test in all subjects. The study group was divided into group- I (aged between 50-64 years) and group-ll (65 years and older) and two subgroups were compared with each other. Mean age was 55.41 ± 4.61 years for group-l (n-673) and 70.89 ± 5.41 years for group-ll (n=405). The fall frequencies/prevalences for group-l and İI were 2.5% and 4.9%, respectively (c2- 4.44, p-0.035). All the inquired risk factors were more frequent in group-ll. When group-ll was analysed alone, fall frequency was higher in females (c2-10.38, p~0.001). Hypertension, vertigo, give-out in knees, decrease in physical activity level, balance and gait problems were also more frequent in group-ll. Gender was determined as a risk factor for falls in logistic regression analysis (odds ratio: 4.07, 95 % confidence interval: 1.1-15.0), Mean dynamic balance score was 1.25 ± 0.65 for group-l and 1.7 ± 1.07 for group-ll (p<0.001). In group-ll mean dynamic balance score was found higher in the fallers than the non-fallers (2.15 ± 1.35 and 1.67 ± 1.05, respectively). In this cross-sectional study, we found that the fall frequency was higher in the subjects who were 65 years and older, and gender was the most important risk factor. Keywords : Elderly, fall, risk factor, balance, get-up and go test