Comprehensive study on falls and fractures in the community elderly in Japan.

本研究的目的是确定社区老年人跌倒和骨折的危险因素，以建立预防它们的指导方针。社区老年人的代表性样本来自冲绳、本州（大陆）的三个县和北海道。研究对象接受了关于跌倒和/或骨折经历、跌倒情况和相关因素的访谈调查。同时对本州州3个样品进行骨矿物质密度测定。基于横断面和纵向观察的结果如下：1)在所有5个样本中，跌倒和骨折在女性中比在男性中更常见。2)与其他4个样本相比，冲绳县样本中跌倒和骨折的发生率较低。3)跌倒经历、功能障碍、握力弱、视力障碍、高血压、咀嚼能力差、生活满意度低与跌倒及骨折相关。低骨密度也是跌倒和骨折的重要危险因素。4)经常散步和吃肉习惯是显著的负相关危险因素。跌倒在室外比在室内更常见。跌倒最常见的原因是在平坦的道路上绊倒或滑倒。

The purpose of the present study was to identify risk factors for falls and fractures in the community elderly in order to establish guidelines for preventing them. Representative samples in the community elderly were recruited from Okinawa, three prefectures of Honshu (mainland), and Hokkaido. Subjects underwent interview surveys regarding experience of falls and/or fractures, situations at falls, and the relevant factors. Bone mineral density was simultaneously investigated in the three samples of Honshu.The results obtained based on cross-sectional and longitudinal observations were as follows :1) Both falls and fractures were more common in women then in men in all five samples.2) Falls and fractures were less common in the sample of Okinawa Prefecture than in the other four samples.3) Experience of falls, impaired functional capacity, weak grip strength, visual impairment, hypertension, bad chewing ability, and low life satisfaction were significantly related to falls and the consequent fractures. Low bone density was also a significant risk factor for falls and fractures.4) The habits of regular walking and eating meat were significantly negative risk factors.5) Falls occurred more commonly outdoors than indoors. Falls were triggered most commonly by stumbling or slipping on a flat road.