The increase in the number of elderly is a reality in Brazil, which raises the discussion about incapacitating events among this age group. The occurrence of falls among Brazilian elderly deserves special mention because of their physical, psychological, and social consequences. An important consequence is a proximal fracture of the femur, responsible for a large percentage of surgeries and hospital admissions, representing high costs to public health. A bibliographic study was carried out with the objective of analyzing the morbid-mortality of this type of fracture in publications listed in the MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO data bases from January of 2003 to December of 2007. The average rate of mortality in the first year after-trauma was 21,8%. Advanced age, previous associated illnesses, and the male gender are the factors of greatest contribution to the occurrence of death from such occurrences among Brazilian elderly.
Aging; Mortality; Morbidity; Wounds and injuries
