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

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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.