Fall-related mortality trends in older Japanese adults aged ≥65 years: a nationwide observational study. Issue 12 (11th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hagiya, Hideharu; Koyama, Toshihiro; Zamami, Yoshito; Tatebe, Yasuhisa; Funahashi, Tomoko; Shinomiya, Kazuaki; Kitamura, Yoshihisa; Hinotsu, Shiro; Sendo, Toshiaki; Rakugi, Hiromi; Kano, Mitsunobu R
• Is Part Of: BMJ open. Volume 9:Issue 12(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12-11
• Subjects: geriatric medicine -- health & safety -- health policy -- adult intensive & critical care -- public health -- epidemiology; Medicine -- Research -- Periodicals; 610.72
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033462
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2044-6055

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Fall-related mortality among older adults is a major public health issue, especially for ageing societies. This study aimed to investigate current trends in fall-related mortality in Japan using nationwide population-based data covering 1997–2016. Design: We analysed fall-related deaths among older persons aged ≥65 years using the data provided by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Results: The crude and age-standardised mortality rates were calculated per 100 000 persons by stratifying by age (65–74, 75–84 and ≥85 years) and sex. To identify trend changes, a joinpoint regression model was applied by estimating change points and annual percentage change (APC). The total number of fall-related deaths in Japan increased from 5872 in 1997 to 8030 in 2016, of which 78.8% involved persons aged ≥65 years. The younger population (65–74 years) showed continuous and faster-decreasing trends for both men and women. Average APC among men aged ≥75 years did not decrease. Among middle-aged and older women (75–84 and ≥85 years) decreasing trends were observed. Furthermore, the age-adjusted mortality rate of men was approximately twice that of women, and it showed a faster decrease for women. Conclusions: Although Japanese healthcare has shown improvement in preventing fall-related deaths over the last two decades, the crude mortality for those aged over 85 years remains high, indicating difficulty in reducing fall-related deaths in the super-aged population. Further investigations to uncover causal factors for falls in older populations are required.