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BioMed Central, BMC Geriatrics, 1(14), 2014

DOI: 10.1186/1471-2318-14-105

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Fall incidence in Germany: results of two population-based studies, and comparison of retrospective and prospective falls data collection methods

Journal article published in 2014 by Kilian Rapp, Ellen Freiberger, Chris Todd ORCID, Jochen Klenk ORCID, Clemens Becker, Michael Denkinger ORCID, Christa Scheidt-Nave, Judith Fuchs
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Background: Fall incidence differs considerably between studies and countries. Reasons may be differences between study samples or different assessment methods. The aim was to derive estimates of fall incidence from two population-based studies among older community-living people in Germany and compare retrospective and prospective falls data collection methods. Methods: Data were derived from the 2008–11 wave of the German health interview and examination survey for adults (DEGS1), and the Activity and Function of the Elderly in Ulm study (ActiFE-Ulm). Data collection took place in community facilities (DEGS1) or participants’ homes (ActiFE-Ulm). Participation rates were 42% (newly recruited) and 64% (panel component) in DEGS1 and 19.8% in ActiFE-Ulm. Self-report retrospective fall data covering the previous 12 month period in DEGS1 and ActiFE-Ulm were collected, but only ActiFE-Ulm used prospective 12 month fall calendars. The incidence of ‘any fall’ and ‘recurrent falls’ were calculated for both methods. Results: Fall rates increased with age in men but not women. The ActiFE-Ulm prospectively assessed incidence (95% confidence interval) in women and men aged 65-