Period prevalence, risk factors and consequent injuries of falling among the Saudi elderly living in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesApproximately 28% to 35% of people aged 65 and over fall each year. The consequent injuries of falls are considered a major public health problem. Falls account for more than half of injury-related hospitalisations among old people. The aim of this study was to measure a 1-year period prevalence of falling among old people in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In addition, this study described the most common risk factors and consequent injuries of falls.Setting and participantsA cross-sectional survey was carried out in Riyadh, using a convenient sampling. The targeted population were Saudi citizens who were 60 years or above. Over a 6-month period, 1182 individuals were sampled (545 men and 637 women).ResultsThe 1-year prevalence of falling among old Saudis (>=60 years) was 49.9%. Our results show that 74% of the participants who experienced falls had postfall injuries. Old participants who were uneducated and those with middle school certification were associated with falls (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.72; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.56, aOR 1.81; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.85, respectively). Those who live in rented houses had a higher risk of falls. Interestingly, having a caregiver was significantly associated with more falls (aOR 1.39; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.79). However, not using any medications was significantly related to fewer falls. In addition, old individuals using walking aids were more likely to fall than those who did not. Participants who mentioned ‘not having stressors were associated with less frequent falls (aOR 0.62; 95% CI 0.39 to 0.97). Cerebrovascular accidents were strongly associated with falls with an estimated OR of 2.75 (95% CI 1.18 to 6.43). Moreover, osteoporosis, poor vision and back pain were found to be predictors for falls among the elderly.Conclusion49.9% of elderly Saudis had experienced one or more falls during a 12-month period. Several preventable risk factors could be addressed by routine geriatric assessment. Research on the impact of these risk factors is needed.

Falls in the elderly: assessment of prevalence and risk factors

“…Several studies assessed the prevalence of falls in older adults, and the related fall risk factors. 20 , 21 , 22 However, few studies addressed this issue in the Arab countries 20 , 23 , 24 and to the authors’ best knowledge there is lack of such studies in UAE. Therefore, in the present study we aimed to assess the prevalence of falls in the past two years among older adults aged 60 years and above and to determine the risk factors associated with falls.…”

The interventions and outcomes associated with fall-related injuries at tertiary hospitals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional study

“…It may be attributed to only 4.9% of the population above 60 years in KSA [ 3 ]. The present study is a good study that reports fall-related injuries irrespective of age and gender.…”

“…Accidental falls impose significant morbidity, mortality and socioeconomic burden, rendering them as the second leading cause of hospitalization for all age groups around the world [ 2 ]. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), approximately 28-35% people aged ≥65 years experience falls each year [ 3 ]. Fall-related injuries are the most common accidental injuries among children and adolescents in Riyadh [ 4 ].…”

Falls and Related Bone Fractures

“…In a review of recent reports, Vieira et al [36] reported that in a random sample of 1451 people aged ≥60 years in Brazil, the adjusted odds ratio for the incidence of falls was higher among people with 4-7 years of education (adjusted odds ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.80) and uneducated people (adjusted odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.80) in comparison to people with ≥12 years of education. In addition, a study of a random sample of 1182 people aged ≥60 years in Saudi Arabia by Almegble et al [37] revealed a higher adjusted odds ratio for the incidence of falls among middle school graduates and uneducated people in comparison to university graduates.…”