A Population‐Based Study Examining Injury in Older Adults with and without Dementia. Issue 3 (19th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meuleners, Lynn B.; Hobday, Michelle B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 65:Issue 3(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 520
• Page End: 525
• Publication Date: 2017-01-19
• Subjects: injury -- dementia -- falls -- older adults; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.14523
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-8614

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To estimate the incidence of and risk factors for injuries in older adults with and without dementia. Design: Retrospective, population‐based cohort study. Setting: Western Australian Data Linkage System (WADLS). Participants: Cases included 29, 671 (47.9%) older adults aged 50 and older with an index hospital admission for dementia between 2001 and 2011. Comparison participants without dementia included a random sample of 32, 277 (52.1%) older adults aged 50 and older from the state electoral roll. Measurements: Hospital admission to a metropolitan tertiary hospital for at least 24 hours with an injury. Results: Age‐standardized all‐cause injury rates for older adults with dementia (≥60) were 117 per 1, 000 population and 24 per 1, 000 population for older adults without dementia. Falls caused the majority of injuries for both groups (dementia, 94%; without dementia, 87%), followed by transport‐related injuries and burns. Multivariate modeling found that older adults with a diagnosis of dementia had more than twice the risk of hospital admission for an injury than those without dementia (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 2.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.96–2.15). Other significant risk factors for a hospital admission for injury were age 85 and older (IRR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.13–1.81), being unmarried (IRR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03–1.12), and a history of falls (IRR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01–1.06). Women were at lower risk then men of a hospital admission due to an injury (IRR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.87–0.97). Conclusions: Older adults with dementia are at greater risk of a hospital admission for an injury. Multifactorial injury prevention programs would benefit older adults with and without dementia, especially those aged 85 and older, living alone, and with a history of previous falls.