STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE OF INTRINSIC AND EXTRINSIC FACTORS OF FALL RISK IN THE ELDERLY IN PRIMARY CARE: Study of the prevalence of risk factors for falls in the elderly in PHC

• Autor(a) principal: Pinheiro Neiva, Victor Rangel
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Loiola Gomes Moreira, Raquel
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por; eng
• Título da fonte: Revista de Atenção à Saúde
• Texto Completo: http://seer.uscs.edu.br/index.php/revista_ciencias_saude/article/view/8642
• topic: Aged; Risk factors; Prevalence; Idoso; 2. Fatores de risco; Prevalência

In Brazil, between 2000 and 2010, hospital admissions due to external causes, financed by the Sistema Único de Sáude (SUS), showed an increase of 19.1%, with falls as the main causes, especially among the elderly population, representing a problem public health on the rise. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of certain risk factors for falls in community-dwelling elderly people in PHC and their association with high intrinsic risk. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional study carried out with elderly people treated at the UBS Dr. Milton Lopes, Imperatriz/MA. Data collection was instrumental, using the modified Downton Scale, associated with a semi-structured instrument, analyzing aspects such as sociodemographic profile and elements considered risk factors for the occurrence of falls, in addition to the consequences of this grievance. The variables were associated using Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, and values with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 182 elderly people were interviewed, with a mean age of 72.1 years, predominantly female (62.1%). There were a large number of reports of previous falls (48.4%), medication use (74.7%) and sensory deficits (81.9%) in this population. A prevalence of high intrinsic risk for falls was found in 53.85% of the sample. Among those who have already fallen, a good portion suffered skin injuries (25%) and/or fractures (20.4%). Conclusion: Comprehensive and priority assistance by public health services is suggested, aiming at the identification of populations at increased risk and the prompt establishment of preventive strategies in this area.