Epidemiology of falls in the elderly.

Introduction: There is a lack of epidemiological data on falls and fallrelated injuries for the aged population in Germany. The purpose of the article is to present the available-data focusing on the incidence of the fracture types that carry the highest risk for mortality, hospitalisation and persisting disabilities. Methods: The paper reports on a 10% representative sample that was drawn by the Federal Bureau of Statistics. A medline search for 1980-1998 was performed to identify relevant articles. The OECD data-base was used for mortality rates after injurious falls. If no sufficient data were published for Germany, incidence rates of demographic comparable European regions are reported. Results: The number of Fractures of the lower extremity (ICD 820-829) followed by hospitalisation was 139,000 in 1996 for elderly (65 + years). Fractures of the upper extremities (ICD 810-819) requiring hospitalisation were reported for 65,000 persons aged 65 + years and head trauma (ICD 850-851) followed by hospitalisation in this age group for 29,000 persons. There remains an information gap on the incidence of falls and fall-related sequelae without hospitalisation in Germany; Consequences: Facing,the demographic transgression the prevention of falls and fallrelated injuries gains a high priority. Operative management: and rehabilitation procedures for elderly trauma patients should be further evaluated and improved.