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Relating factors to severe injury from outdoor falls in older people
Author(s) -
Jung Hey Youn,
Kim Sun Hyu,
Lee Sang Cheal,
Kim Sunpyo,
Cho Gyu Chong,
Kim Min Joung,
Lee Ji Sook,
Han Chul
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geriatrics and gerontology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1447-0594
pISSN - 1444-1586
DOI - 10.1111/ggi.13144
Subject(s) - medicine , stairs , poison control , injury prevention , intensive care unit , physical therapy , emergency medicine , civil engineering , engineering
Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, including floor characteristics and factors, related to severe injury from outdoor falls in older adults. Methods Patients were divided into two groups based on injury severity: the severe group and non‐severe group. The clinical and general characteristics were compared between the two groups, and factors associated with severe injury were investigated. Results Approximately 5% (364/7635) of older people involved in outdoor falls were classified into severe injury. The proportion of men and the rate of alcohol ingestion were higher in the severe group compared with that in the non‐severe group. Falling from stairs was a more frequent mechanism of fall in the severe group compared with that in the non‐severe group. Non‐slippery floor condition had a higher proportion in the severe group than that in the non‐severe group. Head and neck were the predominantly injured regions in both groups. Discharge was the most common result of emergency department treatment in the non‐severe group, whereas admission to intensive care unit was the main result in the severe group. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that male sex and falls from stairs rather than slipping down on the same level were associated with severe injury. Conclusions Floor characteristics did not influence injury severity; however, the risk of severe injury from outdoor falls in older adults was high in men and those who fell from stairs. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2018; 18: 80–87 .