Causes of falls in women in Krakow population.

INTRODUCTION Falls rank among the most serious medical problems in elderly persons, having psychological as well as social consequences. With several hundred fall risk factors known at present, it is necessary to select those that occur most frequently in a particular population. Only then will it be possible to implement effective fall prevention programmes with the aim of increasing awareness of the causes and consequences of falls in elderly persons. The aim of the study was to identify the profile of circumstances of falls in the population of women from Krakow above 50 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS This paper presents the results of a pilot study carried out as a telephone survey. RESULTS The study population of 50 women experienced 77 falls. The results served to estimate that over half of the women fell once in a year, with most falls occurring in summer as well as during the day. Among the environmental causes of falls outdoors, over 70% were attributable to slippery ground and uneven surface. 56% of the women were taking antihypertensive and cardiovascular drugs and 54% received at least two medications at the same time. Environmental causes were more important than health-related causes of falls. CONCLUSIONS 1. A fall is most frequently the result of several causes. 2. While the study data need to be verified against a bigger study population, they are an important source and basis for further studies.