| Abstrakt: |
Aging consists of a progressive and dynamic process in which biochemical, functional and morphological changes occur, in order to progressively alter the organism making it more susceptible to extrinsic and intrinsic aggressions. The lack of postural balance and falls constitute part of the geriatric syndromes that encompass the most common health alterations in the elderly, and are one of the main public health problems due to their high incidence. Femoral fractures in the elderly often result from low energy traumas, such as loss of postural instability, in order to be associated with a variety of factors, such as osteoporosis, advanced age, hip geometry, decreased muscle strength, impaired calcium intake and Vitamin-D and genetic predisposition. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of femoral fractures in the municipality of Valença, Rio de Janeiro, in the period from 2013 to 2014 and its main etiologies. Methodology: The students carried out a study and survey of the retrospective data from medical records for a period of one month, referring to femoral fractures treated at the Luiz Gioseffi Jannuzzi School Hospital in 2013/2014 biennium. Patients were divided according to gender, affected limb, cause, age group and length of hospital stay. Results: Of the total of 32 charts analyzed, 20 were female and 12 were male, the left femur was affected in 18 cases while the right was affected 14 cases. The triggering factor that led to most of the fractures was the fall of the height itself, with 19 cases, followed by auto accident, 5 cases, falls on horseback, 1 case, work accident, 1 case and other causes not reported, 6 cases. The most important age group was between 81 and 90 years, with 11 cases, followed by 71 to 80 years with 9 cases, 31 to 40 years with 3 cases, 11 to 20, 51 to 60 and 61 to 70 each with 2 cases, and finally 21 to 30, 41 to 50 and over 90 years, 1 case each. The most significant period of hospitalization was between 16 and 30 days with 14 cases, between 1 and 15 days with 13 cases and more than 30 days with 5 cases. Conclusion: Among the data collected in the literature, it can be inferred that the epidemiological transition is becoming more and more present in contemporary society, with a sharpening of the base of the pyramid that is composed of the economically active population and with enlargement of the apex, where the elderly population is located. Given this, a more attentive look at the elderly is of paramount importance, since they are more vulnerable to the intrinsic elements of the aging process and extrinsic, associated with the environment and external factors that restrain them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
