2025 Volume 74 Issue 2 Pages 184-186
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the detailed instrumentation, equipment, and use associated with falls among community-dwelling older adults. Additionally, the study aimed to assess the injury rates by instrumentation, equipment, and use according to the characteristics of the injured individuals, and to identify the instrumentation, equipment, and use that cause severe injury. Methods: We analyzed individuals aged 65 years and older who fell on their property and required emergency medical transport to a hospital in 2019. We calculated injury rates and 95% confidence intervals per 100,000 person-years for each age group (classified as 65-74, 75-84, and 85 years and older) and sex for each type of instrumentation, equipment, and use, as well as the number of moderate or severe injuries and their percentages. Instrumentation and equipment associated with falls were categorized using the ICD-10 and subdivided according to conditions of use. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify instrumentation, equipment, and use attributable to moderate or severe injuries, adjusting for sex and age group with the floor as a reference. Results: A total of 4,421 patients were included. Patients were categorized according to 44 different types of instrumentation, equipment, and use associated with falls. A total of 2,154 cases (48.7%) were classified as moderate or severe. Older adults had higher fall injury rates on floors (injury rates, 450.9; 95% CI: 434.5-467.9), stairs (76.6; 69.9-83.8), beds (25.5; 21.7-29.8), steps (21.2; 17.7-25.1), and toilets (14.5; 11.6-17.8), with variations based on instrumentation, equipment, and use as well as sex and age group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds ratio for moderate or severe injuries was higher for falls occurring on the roof (odds ratio, 8.95; 95% CI: 1.52-169.40). Conclusion: Fall injury rates and the characteristics of the injured individuals among community-dwelling older adults differ based on the instrumentation, equipment, and use associated with falls. The implementation of measures to mitigate external factors associated with this risk are necessary.
