The global burden of falls: global, regional and national estimates of morbidity and mortality from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Abstract

BackgroundFalls can lead to severe health loss including death. Past research has shown that falls are an important cause of death and disability worldwide. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2017 (GBD 2017) provides a comprehensive assessment of morbidity and mortality from falls.MethodsEstimates for mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), incidence, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs) and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were produced for 195 countries and territories from 1990 to 2017 for all ages using the GBD 2017 framework. Distributions of the bodily injury (eg, hip fracture) were estimated using hospital records.ResultsGlobally, the age-standardised incidence of falls was 2238 (1990–2532) per 100 000 in 2017, representing a decline of 3.7% (7.4 to 0.3) from 1990 to 2017. Age-standardised prevalence was 5186 (4622–5849) per 100 000 in 2017, representing a decline of 6.5% (7.6 to 5.4) from 1990 to 2017. Age-standardised mortality rate was 9.2 (8.5–9.8) per 100 000 which equated to 695 771 (644 927–741 720) deaths in 2017. Globally, falls resulted in 16 688 088 (15 101 897–17 636 830) YLLs, 19 252 699 (13 725 429–26 140 433) YLDs and 35 940 787 (30 185 695–42 903 289) DALYs across all ages. The most common injury sustained by fall victims is fracture of patella, tibia or fibula, or ankle. Globally, age-specific YLD rates increased with age.ConclusionsThis study shows that the burden of falls is substantial. Investing in further research, fall prevention strategies and access to care is critical.

Incidence and Multidimensional Predictors of Occasional and Recurrent Falls among Malaysian Community-Dwelling Older Adults

“…Despite the apparent association between age and decline in both physical and cognitive functions [20], our results showed that advancing age did not predict the incidence of occasional and recurrent falls. In an age-speci c population, the incidence of falls was not age-dependent, as opposed to the prevalence of falls, which was reported to be age-dependent [21]. In other words, while the number of cases of falls does not increase with increasing age, cumulatively, the number of individuals who would have fallen within the older population over any given period would be observed due to the consistent addition of new cases.…”

The Burden of the Current Curative Expenditure of Injury in Dalian, China-A study Based on "System of Health Accounts 2011"

“…For those 70 years or older, falls are the leading category in injuryrelated deaths. An injury surveillance system pilot study conducted in 4 low/middle-income countries found that falls accounted for the largest percentage (56%) of recorded injuries among children [27]. A study conducted in India similarly found that the most common type of home injury in children aged 0-14 was falling [28].…”

The burden of the current curative expenditure of injury in Dalian, China-A study based on “System of Health Accounts 2011”

“…For those 70 years or older, falls are the leading category in injury-related deaths. An injury surveillance system pilot study conducted in 4 low/middle-income countries found that falls accounted for the largest percentage (56%) of recorded injuries among children [27]. A study conducted in…”