Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran

en Investigation of the prevalent fall-related risk factors of fractures in elderly referred to Tehran hospitals Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy Original Research Original Research Background: Prevalence of fall-related mortality is rising in the elderly population. Falling is one of the causes of the murderous and non-murderous injuries in the elderly population which can lead to disability, dependence and decline of quality of life. Fractures constitute a major part of the fall-related injuries. The present study is designed to investigate the prevalence of fall-related risk factors of fractures in the Iranian elderly population. Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 240 elderly adults (aged 72.24±8.81 years) referred to Tehran hospitals in 2011 with wrist, femoral and proximal humeral fractures, using a questionnaire designed for this purpose. Results: Ninety four (39.2%) cases were males and 146 (60.8%) were females. Slipping was the most prevalent mechanism of falling with the rate of 26.9% followed by falling from height and falling outdoors. Femur was the most frequently injured site (57.5%) while wrist and humerus were the next sites to be injured. Only 7.5% of the cases lived in a safe environment while in 37.2% and 55.2% cases, home environment was partly safe and non-safe, respectively. Conclusion: Fall-related fractures in the studied population is related to cardiovascular and musculoskeletal disorders, low level of physical activity and ignorance of safety principles but, the prevalence of neurologic diseases and drug and alcohol abuse, which have been mentioned as relevant risk factors in some studies, was very low in this population. Fall, Fracture, Elderly, Risk Factors. 23 30 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1-563&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Ali A Jamebozorgi aas.bozorgi@yahoo.com 20031947532846007377 20031947532846007377 Yes Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Azam Kavoosi azam_ot@yahoo.com 20031947532846007378 20031947532846007378 No Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of MedicalSciences, Tehran, Iran. Zahra Shafiee shafiee69@yahoo.com 20031947532846007379 20031947532846007379 No Occupational Therapy Department, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Amir H Kahlaee kahlaee@uswr.ac.ir 20031947532846007380 20031947532846007380 No Physical Therapy Department, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences,Tehran, Iran. Mehdi Raei mehdi_r_d@yahoo.com 20031947532846007381 20031947532846007381 No Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.