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Selected Publication:
Reiter, L.
Gender and Falls - The influence of gender on the risk factors of falls: a systematic review
Masterstudium; Pflegewissenschaft; [ Masterarbeit ] Medizinische Universität Graz; 2023. pp. 92
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- Authors Med Uni Graz:
- Advisor:
- Lohrmann Christa
- Schoberer Daniela
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background: Several fall risk factors have been identified in international literature so far. Older adults are considered to be among the population groups with the highest risk of falls. Despite research showing that gender influences the mortality rate and type of injury of falls, no literature synthesis is yet available that explores the influence of gender on the risk factors of falls. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted, aiming to identify gender-specific fall risk factors in older adults. Methods: In May 2022 a systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar as well as GreyLit.org. Furthermore, reference lists of relevant reviews on the risk factors of falls were screened. An update search was conducted in June 2023. The inclusion criteria were prospective or retrospective cohort studies which performed gender-specific analyses on fall risk factors in adults over the age of 65. 53 risk factors were of interest. These were based on the WHO risk factor model of falls in older age as well as significant risk factors found in the review by Sousa et al. (2017). Results were categorised according to the WHO model. Included studies were appraised by two independent appraisers using the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Results: 24 studies were eligible for inclusion. 12 studies reported only on women, seven only on men and five on women and men. 16 risk factors were identified that were significant in both women and men (e.g. comorbidity, impaired physical function). Of these, 14 were biological factors. 12 biological factors were significant only for women (e.g. diabetes) and two only in men (e.g. urinary urgency). No significant risk factors were found regarding environmental factors in women and men. While education was the only significant socioeconomic factor in women, no socioeconomic risk factor was found to be significant for men. Conclusion: This is the first systematic review on the influence of gender regarding the risk factors of falls. Results of this review can be seen as an incentive for future studies on this topic, as more research is still necessary to verify data on the influence of gender on falls.