scholarly journals Identifying elderly persons who are at risk of falling and fall risk factors in the general population

2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 396-402
Author(s):  
Suncica Ivanovic ◽  
Sanja Trgovcevic ◽  
Biljana Kocic ◽  
Snezana Todorovic-Tomasevic ◽  
Milica Jeremic-Knezevic ◽  
...  

Introduction/Objective. The aim of this study was to identify the elderly who are at increased risk of falling, as well as the risk factors for falls in the general population. Methods. This cross sectional study included a random sample of 400 people (164 men and 236 women) with the average age of 75.04 (65?94) years selected from the Register of the Primary Health Center in Nis, Serbia. Socio-demographic questionnaire, the Elderly Fall Screening Test, and the Multi-factor Falls Questionnaire were used. Odds ratio (OR) was evaluated and adjusted for gender, age, marital status, education level, and self-assessment of the health state. Results. The risk of falling and risk factors for falls were as follows: age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.129, confidence interval (CI) = 1.067?1.196], health self-assessed as good (OR = 0.365; CI = 0.142?0.938), limitation of activities (OR = 7.189; CI = 3.559?14.522), walking problems (OR = 2.153; CI = 1.046?4.428), osteoporosis (OR = 4.611; CI = 1.231?17.265), female gender (OR = 3.770, CI = 1.648?8.624), vision problems (OR = 2.719; CI = 1.588?108.581), cognitive problems (OR = 4.485; CI = 17.721), arthritis (OR = 6.524; CI = 2.077?20.496), and urination problems (OR = 2.511; CI = 1.083?5.820). Conclusion. Risk factors for falls were the following: age, self-assessment of health state, walking problems, osteoporosis, female gender, vision problems, arthritis, and urination problems.

Author(s):  
R. Senthil Kumar ◽  
Kamali Ravindran

Background: Falls are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly people. Falls lead to multiple medical and psychological problems in the elderly. Aim was to study the prevalence of falls among the elderly and to find the associated risk factors for falls among the elderly living in an urban slum in Chennai.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among elderly population over 60 years and above, in an urban slum area. About 150 elderly were selected using simple random sampling method, using the voters list as the sampling frame. A pretested questionnaire was administered to collect information about falls. In statistical analysis univariate and multivariate logistic regression was employed using SPSS version 22.Results: Of the 150 elderly persons studied, prevalence of falls rate is 35.3% (95% CI 28.13 to 43.26). Of them 64.1% had one episode of fall and 35.8% had recurrent falls. The prevalence of fall among persons with comorbidities like hypertension or diabetes was 39.3% and 36.1% respectively .The rate of fall among those using a walking stick was 58.3%, having tremors was 15% and having abnormal gait was 40%. The risk factors found to be significantly associated in univariate analysis were gender and presence of tremors (p<0.05). In multivariate analysis none of the factors showed statistical significance.Conclusions: Falls are very common among elderly. It is utmost important to prevent the falls by making necessary environmental modifications and following healthy lifestyle. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aladar Bruno Ianes ◽  
Giorgio Ricci ◽  
For the Se.Ko.Ph. Study Group

The aim was to investigate risk factors for falls in elderly people living in residential nursing homes. An observational, prospective, multicentre study was conducted between March 2010 and March 2011 investigating falls in elderly residents living in residential nursing homes (4 Italian¸ 4 French and 5 German nursing homes). A number of risk factors were assessed as well as details of the fall (dynamics, reasons, location and time of occurrence). Differences were observed between the countries related to different nursing practices. Fallers comprised 36.5% of all residents and approximately 40% were injured as a consequence. Six logistic regression models were created to assess which fallrelated variables had the most impact, and showed subjects with faecal incontinence had a lower risk of falling, while subjects afflicted with dementia and visual impairment showed an increased risk of falling. Higher Tinetti scores were found to be related to an increased fall risk. Falls in the elderly occur due to complex interactions between demographic, physical, behavioural and environmental risk factors. Differences between countries in fall rates were seen, probably due to different medical practices, use of aids and restraints, and characteristics of the populations (<em>i.e.</em> the Italian residents tended to be more cognitively impaired and more impaired in balance and gait compared to the French and German residents). There was evidence that subjects with a better clinical status fall more frequently, whereas non-fallers had a worse clinical status and therefore tended to be more bedridden.


Author(s):  
FE Odiase ◽  
E Kayode-Iyasere

Theories on health behaviour have recognized perceived risk as an essential factor in the adoption of a healthy lifestyle, however, little is known about stroke risk perception and response to stroke in the elderly population of Nigeria. Ageing being the most important unmodifiable risk factor for stroke, this study aims to determine the predictors of perception of stroke risk and response to stroke in the elderly This was a cross-sectional study, which involved a multi-stage random sampling, recruiting one hundred and sixty individuals 65years and older. The interview was by face to face using a questionnaire to determine, demographics, knowledge of stroke risk, perception of stroke risk and response in the event of a stroke. Multiple logistic regression models were used to analyze predictors of dependent variables Only 32.5% of participants had an accurate perception of stroke risk while 30.6% would consider taking a patient to hospital in the event of a stroke. Increasing age (P=0.001), the female gender (P<0.05), having two or more risk factors for stroke (P=0.001) and attending two or more specialized clinics (P=0.001) were significant predictors of the wrong perception of stroke risk and inappropriate response in the event of a stroke. The elderly are at risk for stroke, but sadly with increasing age and additional risk factors for stroke, the majority have a wrong perception of stroke risk and would respond inappropriately in the event of a stroke. It might be necessary to run stroke campaigns that are targeted and appropriate to the elderly, involving continuous intermittent repetitions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-51
Author(s):  
Natalia O Khovasova ◽  
Anton V Naumov ◽  
Olga N Tkacheva ◽  
Victoriya I Moroz

Falls are a serious multi-factorial problem faced by the elderly persons which is associated with serious complications, loss of functional autonomy, disability and death. One of the common comorbidities among the elderly persons is arterial hypertension (AH) which increases the risk of falls. Aim. To study the risk factors for falls among patients with AH. Materials and methods. Examined 155 patients of geriatric department with the presence of at least one fall in the last year: 133 (85.8%) women (75,29±8.31 years) and 22 (14.2%) men (79,14±4.64 years). Risk of falls and risk factors of falls were assessed in patients with AH. Results. 148 (95.5%) patients had AH. The most common risk factors for hypertension in the elderly were atherosclerosis and decreased physical activity. Target organ lesions of varying severity were observed in all patients. In 25.7% of cases, BP figures outside the target values were noted. 18 (12.2%) patients received hypotensive therapy irregularly. On avera-ge, at admission, patients received of 2.06±0.63 anti-hypertensive drug. The frequency of falls in patients with hypertension made up 2.59±2.2, two or more falls happened in 91 persons (61.5%). According to the self-assessment risk of falls scale 131 (88.5%) patients had a high risk of falls. A high risk of falling in hospital (on the Morse scale) was identified in 63 (42.6%) patients. The most common risk factors for falls in patients with AH were previous falls in anamnesis, sensory de-ficit, imbalance, osteoarthritis. The CGA results demonstrate that patients with hypertension with blood pressure below the target values in comparison with the target and even high numbers of blood pressure have a higher prevalence of frailty, worse indicators of functional status, higher incidence and high risk of falls on the Morse scale. Conclusion. The most common risk factors for falls among patients with AH are previous falls in anamnesis, sensory deficit, imbalance, osteoarthritis. For patients with hypertension, low blood pressure is a predictor of high risk of falls and a worse prognosis. When blood pressure is below the target, there is a higher prevalence of frailty and worse indicators of functional status, which is a poor prognostic sign for the elderly.


2005 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dany Fortin ◽  
Michel Préville ◽  
Claire Ducharme ◽  
Réjean Hébert ◽  
Jacques Allard ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTIn Quebec, benzodiazepines are some of the most extensively used drugs by the elderly. The goal of this study was to identify factors associated with short- and long-term benzodiazepine use among 2,039 elderly persons having participated in the Quebec Health Survey conducted in 1998. Results of the multivariate, multinomial logistic regression showed that a higher number of chronic health problems, a higher number of physicians visited and general practitioners consulted were associated with short- and long-term use of benzodiazepines. Factors specifically associated with long-term use were female gender (OR=1.84) and the presence of benzodiazepine users in the household (OR=1.90). In this study, we were unable to show a difference between the two groups of users with regards to the risk factors studied. This result leads us to conclude that prevention of long-term use must be aimed at all new benzodiazepine users.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erhan Ergin ◽  
Nevin Oruç ◽  
Galip Ersöz ◽  
Oktay Tekeşin ◽  
Ömer Özütemiz

AbstractPost Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis is one of the most serious complications of ERCP. Our study aims to investigate the risk, predisposing factors and prognosis of pancreatitis after ERCP in elderly patients. Patients referred to the ERCP unit between April 2008 and 2012 and admitted to the hospital at least 1 day after the ERCP procedure were included to the study. Information including patient’s demographics, diagnosis, imaging findings, biochemical analysis, details of the ERCP procedure and complications were recorded. The severity of post ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) was determined by revised Atlanta Criteria as well as APACHE II and Ranson scores. A total of 2902 ERCP patients were evaluated and 988 were included to the study. Patients were divided into two groups as ≥ 65 years old (494 patients, 259 F, 235 M) and < 65 years old (494 patients, 274 F, 220 M). PEP was diagnosed in 4.3% of patients aged 65 years and older. The female gender was risk factors in elderly for PEP. The Sphincter Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) and Juxta papillary diverticula (JPD) were higher in elderly patients with PEP. Age did not increase the risk of PEP development. The most important post ERCP pancreatitis risk factor in the elderly is the female gender, while the risk is enhanced slightly by SOD and JPD.


1980 ◽  
Vol 47 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1055-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward F. Raymond ◽  
Timothy J. Michals ◽  
Robert A. Steer

A sample of 504 elderly persons living within a metropolitan area were questioned about their socio-medical characteristics and administered the Wakefield Self-assessment Depression Inventory. The distribution of depression scores indicated that 34.5% were depressed. Stepwise regression analysis was next used to examine the relationships between the characteristics and depression scores. Total number of self-reported symptoms and being partially housebound were positively associated with depression. Recommendations were made that health care providers for the elderly be alerted that older persons with physical complaints and those who are partially restricted to their homes may tend to develop levels of depression which might require psychiatric intervention.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
William J Kostis ◽  
Javier Cabrera ◽  
Fei Wang ◽  
Sara J Guterl ◽  
Dhammika Amaratunga ◽  
...  

Introduction: J relationships of body mass index (BMI) with mortality have been described. However, little data are available on long-term follow-up in controlled clinical trials with respect to cardiovascular (CV) and all cause mortality. Hypothesis: We tested whether there is a J shape relationship between BMI with CV and all cause mortality at 22 years in the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP). Methods: SHEP was a placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial of antihypertensive therapy in patients with isolated systolic hypertension aged 60 and older. The relationship between CV and all cause mortality with baseline BMI was examined in 4,211 SHEP participants. Results: In unadjusted analyses, a J relationship was observed for all-cause mortality (linear term p=0.0318, quadratic term p=0.3217 and tricubic term p=0.0046) and for CV mortality (linear term p=0.0962, quadratic term p=0.6866 and tricubic term p=0.0908, left figure). The lowest risk was at a BMI of 25.9 for all-cause and 25.5 for CV mortality. The J shaped relationship between BMI and mortality was attenuated after adjustment for age, gender, comorbidities (e.g. diabetes, heart failure) and risk factors for CV disease (e.g. smoking and dyslipidemia, right figure). Age and gender were significant predictors of both all- cause and CV mortality: age p<0.0001, female gender p=0.0063 for all-cause mortality and p<0.0001 for age and p=0.0004 for female gender for CV mortality. <br/Conclusions: This study indicates that both very low and very high BMI are markers of high risk. The J relationship between BMI and mortality is mediated by age, female gender, comorbidities and risk factors for CV disease.


Circulation ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 133 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ridhima Kapoor ◽  
Colby Ayers ◽  
Jacquelyn Kulinski

Background: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a predictor of cardiovascular events, mortality and functional status. Gender differences in ABI have been reported in some population studies. Differences in height might account for these observed gender differences, but findings are conflicting. Objective: This study investigated the association between gender, height and ABI in the general population, independent of traditional cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Methods: Participants ≥ 40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 with ABI data, were included. A low ABI was defined as a value < 1.0 (including borderline values). Sample-weighted multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed with low ABI as the dependent variable and height and gender as primary predictor variables of interest. A backward elimination model selection technique was performed to identify significant covariates. Results: There were 3,052 participants with ABI data (mean age 57, 51% female (1570 of 3052). The sample-weighted mean (±SE) ABI was 1.09 (±0.006) and 1.13 (±0.005) for females and males, respectively. Women were more likely to have a low ABI compared to men, 42% (659 of 1570) versus 28% (415 of 1482), respectively (p<0.0001). Female gender was associated with a low ABI (OR 1.34, [95% CI, 1.04-1.72]; p=0.025), independent of traditional CVD risk factors (see Figure). Age, diabetes, tobacco use, known CVD, BMI and black race were also associated with a low ABI (all p<0.003). Self-reported hypertension and non-HDL cholesterol levels, however, were not associated with a low ABI. An interaction between height and body mass index (BMI) was identified. Conclusions: Female gender is associated with a low ABI in the general population. This association appears to be independent of height and other traditional CVD risk factors and warrants further investigation.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sigrid Burruss ◽  
Lillian Min ◽  
Areti Tillou

The geriatric trauma population continues to grow as life expectancy and unintentional injury increase. Age-related physiologic changes and complex comorbidities may not only lead to injury but also may precipitate a downward spiral. The injury patterns, presentation of life-threatening injury, and response to injury are unique in the elderly trauma population, and dedicated evaluation of elderly trauma patients at a trauma center may be beneficial. Aggressive, early intervention with a focus on geriatric-specific needs and care coordination are an integral part of the management to reduce morbidity and mortality. Much of the unintentional injuries may be preventable with identification of risk factors for falls and fall prevention programs. Frailty measurements may be used to predict morbidity and functional status. Surgeons must become familiar with geriatric-specific issues and how best to treat the geriatric trauma population.  This review contains 3 figures, 2 tables, and 133 references. Key Words: care coordination, elderly, frailty, geriatric, injury, prevention, risk factors, trauma, triage


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