Gender difference in the perceived cause of fall leading to fracture and its potentially contributing factors among older adults.

Abstract

Background: the present study aimed to investigate gender difference in the perceived cause (intrinsic or extrinsic) of falls leading to fracture (FLF) and its association with selected social, health, and environmental factors.

Methods: All patients aged 60 years or older who were admitted to two referral hospitals due to FLF from August 1, 2018, to the end of May 2019, were included in the study. An interview-administered questionnaire was used to collect the required data from 300 participants (136 men and 164 women).

Results: When compared to men, women were less physical active, were less smoker, had lower education, had more vision problems, used more sedatives, and were more satisfied with their life (P less than 0.05 for all). No statistical difference was observed between men and women about the perceived cause of Fall.

Conclusions: Although women and men were the same in the perceived cause of fall, they had considerably riskier lifestyles and lower health status. These factors include education, vision condition, physical activity, occupation, and taking sleeping pills. On the other hand, men were more smoker and alcohol user.