FATORES DE RISCO ASSOCIADOS ÀS QUEDAS EM IDOSOS: SÍNTESE NARRATIVA DE EVIDÊNCIAS RECENTES RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FALLS IN OLDER ADULTS: A NARRATIVE SYNTHESIS OF RECENT EVIDENCE
FATORES DE RISCO ASSOCIADOS ÀS QUEDAS EM IDOSOS: SÍNTESE NARRATIVA DE EVIDÊNCIAS RECENTES RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FALLS IN OLDER ADULTS: A NARRATIVE SYNTHESIS OF RECENT EVIDENCE
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.820821126240612
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Abstract: Falls in older adults represent an important public health concern, being associated with high morbidity, mortality, hospitalizations, fractures, loss of functional independence, and reduced quality of life. This study aims to analyze the main risk factors associated with falls in older adults based on recent scientific evidence. This is a structured narrative review based on studies published between 2021 and 2026, prioritizing systematic reviews, meta-analyses, scoping reviews, clinical guidelines, and studies focused on fall prevention, screening, and management. The findings show that falls have a multifactorial origin, involving clinical, functional, cognitive, medication-related, environmental, behavioral, and healthcare-related factors. The main factors identified include balance, gait, and muscle strength impairments, reduced lower-limb power, polypharmacy, chronic diseases, cognitive impairment, dizziness, osteosarcopenia, diabetes-related foot ulcers, fear of falling, low risk perception, and unsafe environmental conditions. In addition, the studies highlight the importance of health education, primary care, medication review, physical exercise, functional assessment, and multifactorial interventions as preventive strategies. It is concluded that early and integrated identification of these factors is essential to reduce the incidence of falls and their consequences, promoting safer, more autonomous, and functional aging.
- Bruno Dias Cerqueira da Silva
- Ramon Fraga de Souza Lima