Facteurs de risque de chutes chez le sujet âgé en Tunisie

Falls are a common health problem among the elderly. The cause is often multifactorial. The aim of our study was to analyze the risk factors for falls among the elderly and to assess the interest of screening for these risk factors. For this purpose, a retrospective study was conducted between September 2014 and January 2016 including 80 patients (65 years and over), recruited among patients followed at the Internal Medicine Department B of the Charles-Nicolle Hospital in Tunis. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to anamnestic data: case group (40 subjects having experienced at least one fall in the previous year) and control group (40 subjects with no recorded fall). The average age of patients with a history of falls was 75.7 years with a marked predominance of women (30 W/10 M). The average number of risk factors for falls was significantly greater among subjects having experienced falls (n = 4) compared to the others (n = 2.8; P < 0.05). The risk factors of falls identified in our study were: flat-footedness, knee osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, glaucoma, walking and balance disorders, nocturia and frailty. In conclusion, a detailed evaluation of elderly patients having experienced falls enables the identification of risk factors and proposals for specific management. Specialized fall consultations are needed in Tunisia.