Trends in fall-related injuries among older adults treated in emergency departments in the USA

Abstract

To examine national trends in fall-related injuries among older adults treated in emergency departments (ED) and project these injuries until the year 2030. The Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System was used to generate data on fall-related injuries treated in ED. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to examine the average annual change in injury rates over time. Fall-related injury and hospitalisation rates increased on average by 2% (95% CI 1.5% to 2.7%) and by 4% (95% CI 2.9% to 5.0%) per year, respectively. Assuming the increase in fall-related injury rates remains unchanged, the number of fall-related injuries may increase to 5.7 million by the year 2030. Fall-related injuries among older adults treated in ED increased in the USA during the study period. Moreover, a marked increase in the number of these injuries may occur over the next decades.

Fall-related injuries among Canadian seniors, 2005–2013: an analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey

“…As with other studies, [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] we found significantly higher rates of fall-related injuries among older women compared to older men across all survey years. Loss of bone mineral density following menopause may predispose women to a higher risk of fracture.…”

“…47 In addition, recent declines in fall-related injury rates have also been reported in the older senior population (Z 80 years) in Finland 48 and may reflect improvements in the functional ability and living environments of older seniors, although further assessment of trends is warranted. In contrast, studies in the USA 30 and Australia 33 have reported notably sharper increases in rates among older rather than younger age groups.…”

“…This differs from the trends observed between 2003 and 2009/2010, during which there was a consistent increase in rates in both sexes. 7 Although making direct comparisons is difficult due to differences in data sources and time periods examined, studies in other countries have shown either similar upward trends for both sexes 29,30 or a sharper increase in men than in women. [31][32][33] The reasons for the recent decline (or levelling off) that we observed among men are unclear and may be associated with changes in risk-taking behaviour and risk perception (e.g.…”

“…The increase in fall risk with age is welldocumented [29][30][31][34][35][36] and can be attributed to age-induced declines in physical, sensory and cognitive function, as well as increases in comorbidities. 43,45 Moreover, our results indicate that, although older seniors (i.e.…”

Everyday outdoor mobility in old age: Focus group interviews with active senior citizens

“…They are over-represented in injury statistics, and fall-related injuries are recognized globally as a major threat to health and wellbeing [2,3]. By definition, for most people, aging means a decline in personal, physical, cognitive, and social resources or capacity, for example, a decrease in mobility, muscle strength, and balance [4,5].…”