Mortality from falls in the elderly in the Federal District, Brazil: characteristics and time trend, 1996-2017

Abstract

Objective: To describe and analyze the temporal trend of deaths from falls in the elderly in the Federal District, Brazil, between 1996 and 2017. Methods: Descriptive study based on data of deaths from falls sourced from the Mortality Information System, with the database of the informatics department of the Brazilian National Health System. Demographic, socioeconomic, type of fall and place of death were investigated. A segmented linear regression was performed to analyze the annual percentage change (APC), adopting p≤0.05. Results: Data from 2,828 deaths from falls in the elderly were analyzed (female 54.2%; male 45.8%). There was an increase in mortality from falls in the elderly aged 80 years and over (APC=3.0; p<0.001). Conclusion: There was an increasing trend of mortality from falls in the elderly aged 80 years and over. Strategies are needed to reduce deaths from falls, especially among older elderly people.