Abstract

BEJAR A, Cecilia; RUNZER-COLMENARES, Fernando M  and  PARODI, José F. Relationship between the risk of falls and cognitive impairment in elderly subjects at the Cirujano Mayor Santiago Tavara Peruvian Navy Medical Center, 2010-2015. Acta méd. Peru [online]. 2019, vol.36, n.2, pp.110-115. ISSN 1728-5917.

Objective: To determine the relationship between the risk of falls and cognitive impairment in elderly subjects at Cirujano Mayor Santiago Tavara Peruvian Navy Medical Center for the 2010-2015 period. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective observational and analytical study, which consisted in a secondary analysis of a database. The risk of falls was assessed using the results of the functional scope test (FS), while cognitive impairment was assessed with the Pfeiffer score. Additionally, socio-demographic factors, such as age, sex, and educational level were studied; also, clinical factors, such as comorbidities, polypharmacy or previous falls were assessed. Results: Nearly eighteen hundred (1786) elderly subjects were included. Nearly half of all subjects (45.1%) were between 71 and 80 years old; most of them were male (58.9%); and the majority had technical/higher education level (70.9%). Nearly half of all subjects (48.9%) had 2 or more comorbidities. A statistical association (p<0.05) was found between an altered FS and age, educational level, presence of comorbidities, and cognitive impairment. The multivariate analysis showed that cognitive impairment was associated with a high risk of falls (adjusted PR: 3.05; 95% CI: 2.45-3.79). Conclusion: It was found that cognitive impairment was associated with a threefold risk of falls in elderly subjects from Cirujano Mayor Santiago Tavara Peruvian Navy Medical Center during 2010-2015.

Keywords : Accidental falls; Cognitive dysfunction; Frail elderly; Polypharmacy; Comorbidity.

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