Falls and risk factors among older adults in the city center of Edirne

Falls among older adults are an important public health issue and constitute one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in this population. Identifying falls and fall-related risk factors is therefore crucial for reducing preventable health problems such as falls and contributing to healthy aging. This study was conducted to investigate falls and associated risk factors in individuals aged 65 years and older. Data were collected between 20.10.2025 and 30.11.2025 through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire administered to 400 voluntary older adults aged 65 years and above who attended Family Medicine units in the central district of Edirne and met the inclusion criteria. The 35-item questionnaire included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, chronic diseases, medications used, polypharmacy, fall history after age 65 and within the last year, location of the fall, fall-related injuries, and preventive measures taken to avoid falls. In our study, the prevalence of falls after age 65 was 62.8%, while the prevalence of falls within the last year was 35.5%. Fall history was more common among women, single/widowed individuals, those living alone, those with polypharmacy, and individuals with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Fall history was also significantly more frequent among those using antihypertensives, oral antidiabetics, insulin, anticoagulants, cardioselective beta-blockers, and proton-pump inhibitors. The number of falls after age 65 was higher among women, single/widowed individuals, those with low educational level, individuals with polypharmacy, and those with chronic diseases such as heart disease, dementia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, incontinence, and vertigo. Regarding medication groups, fall frequency increased among users of antihypertensives, oral antidiabetics, insulin, anticoagulants, bronchodilators, and proton-pump inhibitor drugs. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the likelihood of having a fall increased by 18% with each additional year of age, was approximately twice as high (93% higher) in individuals living alone compared to those not living alone, and increased by 32% for each additional medication used. Based on the findings and implications of this study, it is evident that preventing falls among older adults requires a comprehensive and multifactorial approach within primary healthcare services, encompassing education, environmental modifications, and systematic management of risk factors. Family physicians hold a key role in this process by adopting biopsychosocial perspective, preventing unnecessary medication use, ensuring appropritate and regular drug adherence, assessing home-based environmental risks, and delivering structured education and counseling services to older individuals. Keywords: Elderly, Prevalance, Polypharmacy, Falls