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福尔斯和骨折的危险因素，以建立预防指南。从冲绳、本州岛（大陆）的三个县和北海道招募社区老年人的代表性样本。受试者接受了关于福尔斯和/或骨折经历、福尔斯情况和相关因素的访谈调查。同时对本州3个样本的骨密度进行调查，结果表明：1）在5个样本中，女性的福尔斯和骨折均高于男性; 2）冲绳县的福尔斯和骨折的发生率低于其他4个样本; 3）福尔斯经历、功能障碍、握力弱、视力障碍、高血压、咀嚼能力差和生活满意度低与福尔斯和骨折的发生率显著相关。低骨密度也是福尔斯和跌倒的显著危险因素。4）经常散步和吃肉的习惯是显著的负危险因素。5）福尔斯在室外比室内更常见。福尔斯最常见的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.