Rapid increase in fall-induced cervical spine injuries among older Finnish adults between 1970 and 2011

Niina Korhonen, Pekka Kannus, Seppo Niemi, Jari Parkkari, Harri Sievänen

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

    25 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: fall-related injuries in older adults are a major public heath challenge.

    METHODS: we determined the current trends in the number and age-adjusted incidence of fall-induced severe cervical spine injuries among older adults in Finland by taking into account all persons in 50 years of age or older who were admitted to Finnish hospitals for primary treatment of these injuries between 1970 and 2011. Similar patients aged 20-49 years served as a reference group.

    RESULTS: the number of fall-induced cervical spine injuries among older Finns rose six-fold from 59 in 1970 to 372 in 2011. The age-adjusted incidence of injury (per 100 000 persons) was higher in men than in women throughout this period and showed a clear increase from 1970 to 2011: from 8.5 to 20.3 in men, and from 2.8 to 11.7 in women. In both sexes, the increase was most prominent in the oldest age group, persons aged 70 years or older. In the reference group, the injury incidence did not rise by time.

    CONCLUSIONS: the number and incidence of fall-induced severe cervical spine injuries among older Finns increased considerably between 1970 and 2011. An increase in the average risk of serious falls may partly explain the phenomenon. Wide-scale fall and injury prevention measures are urgently needed, because further ageing of the population is likely to worsen the problem in the near future.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)567-71
    Number of pages5
    JournalAGE AND AGEING
    Volume43
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2014
    Publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

    Keywords

    • Accidental Falls/statistics & numerical data
    • Adult
    • Age Factors
    • Aged
    • Aged, 80 and over
    • Cervical Vertebrae/injuries
    • Female
    • Finland/epidemiology
    • Humans
    • Incidence
    • Male
    • Middle Aged
    • Retrospective Studies
    • Sex Factors
    • Spinal Injuries/epidemiology

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