Foot Pathology and Inappropriate Footwear as Risk Factors for Falls in a Subacute Aged-Care Hospital

2007 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 213-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca L. Jessup

Background: Falls are a major clinical problem in the hospital setting. This study examined the prevalence of foot pathology and footwear type likely to increase the risk of falls in two subacute-care hospital wards serving elderly patients. Methods: Two wards of a subacute aged-care hospital were selected for study. Patients were assessed for the presence of foot pathology, and their footwear was evaluated for characteristics identified in the literature as placing individuals at increased risk of falls. Results: Of 44 patients assessed, 98% had foot pathology, and 41% had foot pathology requiring podiatric medical management. Eighty-six percent of inpatients wore footwear that was likely to increase their risk of falls, with 66% wearing slippers or moccasins. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate the need for hospital inpatients who are identified as being at high risk for falling, or have a history of falls, to undergo an assessment of their foot pathology and footwear so that appropriate measures can be taken to address these risk factors. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 97(3): 213–217, 2007)

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicklas Højgaard Rasmussen ◽  
Jakob Dal ◽  
Joop Van den Bergh ◽  
Frank de Vries ◽  
Morten Hasselstrøm Jensen ◽  
...  

Introduction: People with diabetes could have an increased risk of falls as they show more complications, morbidity and use of medication compared to the general population. This study aimed to estimate the risk of falls and to identify risk factors associated with falls in people with diabetes. The second aim was to estimate fall-related injuries including lesions and fractures including their anatomic localization in people with diabetes compared with the general population. Methods: From the Danish National Patient Register we identified people with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) (n=12,896), Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) (n=407,009). The cohort was divided into two groups with respective control groups matched on age and sex (1:1). All episodes of people hospitalized with a first fall from 1996 to 2017 were analyzed using a Cox proportional-hazards model. Risk factors such as age, sex, diabetic complications, a history of alcohol abuse and the use of medication were included in an adjusted analysis. The incidence rate and rate ratio of falls and the anatomic localization of fall-related injuries as lesions and fractures were identified. Results and Discussion: The cumulative incidence, of falls requiring hospital treatment, was 13.3% in T1D, 11.9% in T2D. In the adjusted analysis T1D and T2D were associated with a higher risk of falls [T1D, Hazard Ratio (HR): 1.33 (95% CI: 1.25 - 1.43), T2D, HR: 1.19 (95% CI:1.16 - 1.22), respectively]. Women [group 1, HR 1.21 (CI:95%:1.13 – 1.29), group 2, HR 1.61 (CI:95%:1.58–1.64)], aged >65 years [groups 1, HR 1.52 (CI:95%:1.39 – 1.61), group 2, HR 1.32 (CI:95%:1.58–1.64)], use of selective serotonin receptor inhibitors (SSRI) [group 1, HR 1.35 (CI:95%:1.1.30 – 1.40), group 2, HR 1.32 (CI:95%:1.27–1.38)], opioids [group 1, HR 1.15 (CI:95%:1.12 – 1.19), group 2, HR 1.09 (CI:95%:1.05–1.12)] and a history of alcohol abuse [group 1, HR 1.77 (CI:95%:1.17 – 2.15), group 2, HR 1.88 (CI:95%:1.65–2.15)] were significantly associated with an increased risk of falls in both groups. The incidence rate ratios (IRR) of fall-related injuries as hip, pelvis/lower-back and skull/facial fractures were higher in people with T2D than controls [IRR 1.08 (CI:95%:1.02-1.15), IRR 1.21 (CI:95%: 1.12-1.48) and IRR 1.11 (CI:95%:1.02-1.21)]. Conclusion: People with diabetes have an increased risk of first fall and a higher incidence of fall-related injuries including fractures. Advanced aging and sex are non-modifiable risk factors, whereas diabetes, the use of SSRIs and opioids and alcohol abuse could be potentially modifiable risk factors for falls. Gaining information on risk factors for falls could guide the management of diabetes treatment i.e. choice of drugs, which enables us to improve treatment particularly in people with a high risk of falls and fractures associated with high mortality.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 117954411988493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneli Teder-Braschinsky ◽  
Aare Märtson ◽  
Marika Rosenthal ◽  
Pille Taba

Objectives: Deteriorating functionality and loss of mobility, resulting from Parkinson’s disease, may be worsened by osteoarthritis, which is the most common form of joint disease causing pain and functional impairment. We assessed the association between symptomatic hip or knee osteoarthritis, falls, and the ability to walk among patients with Parkinson’s disease compared to a control group. Methods: A total of 136 patients with Parkinson’s disease in Southern Estonia and 142 controls with an average age of 76.8 and 76.3 years, respectively, were enrolled in a retrospective case-control study. Information on falls and related fractures during the previous year was collected from the patients with Parkinson’s disease and controls. Covariates included gender, age, mobility, duration of Parkinson’s disease, and fractures. Results: Patients with Parkinson’s disease were at an increased risk of falls compared to the control group, and for the higher risk of fractures. Symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis was a significant independent predictor of falls in both patients with Parkinson’s disease and controls. The higher risk for fractures during the previous year was demonstrated in symptomatic osteoarthritis. Risk factors for falls included also female gender, use of sleep pills, and the inability to walk 500 m. Conclusions: Symptomatic hip and knee osteoarthritis are risk factors for falls and related fractures among the elderly population with and without Parkinson’s disease. The inability to walk 500 m could be used as a simple predictive factor for the increased risk of falls among elderly populations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73
Author(s):  
Danijela Golub ◽  
Slađana Režić

Introduction. Patient falls are a significant clinical problem, as the fall can result in disability and, in some cases, death. The fall affects the patients’ quality of life, prolongs hospitalization, and increases the cost of treatment. Falls are the result of interaction between various factors. In the hospital setting, falls are considered adverse events. Aim. To determine the number of patients’ falls at the Clinical Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Aids of the University Hospital Centre Zagreb (UHC Zagreb) between September 1, 2019, and February 29, 2020. Methods. The data was extracted after the event from the Hospital Information System (Nursing records) and then processed. The study included 212 patients with limb amputations (both sexes) who were hospitalized in the Clinical Institute for Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Aids. Results. The results showed that patients with limb amputations have a risk for falls when doing rehabilitation for their primary diagnosis. Of the 212 patients admitted, 209 were at risk of falling according to the Morse Falls Scale, but of the total number of patients, only 2 fell. Conclusion. Patients with limb amputations have a higher risk of falls. The retrospective study shows that despite the increased risk of falls, the actual number of falls is very small. This shows that the medical staff are doing excellent work.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 605
Author(s):  
Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin ◽  
Asso Faraidoon Ali Amin ◽  
Saad Kazim Karim ◽  
Saad Suud Shwani ◽  
Raed Thandoon

Background: In elderly people, falls have been recognized as one of the major causes of disability and potentially preventable mortality. Authors analyzed the incidence of falls in elderly diabetic people who have been receiving insulin therapy versus those on oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHGAs).Methods: This observational study was conducted at the department of neurology of Shorsh military general teaching hospital and its outpatients’ department, Iraq, from April 1st to September 30st, 2016. A total of 100 diabetic patients older than 65 years of age, who had a history of one or more falls, were included in the study. The duration of diabetes, mode of its treatment, and its complications all were analyzed in addition to the risk factors for falls.Results: Females (n=57) outnumbered males (n=43) and the mean age of the patients was (71.2±3.6) years. Increasing patient’s age, long-standing diabetes, poor glycaemic control, insulin therapy, and polypharmacy (of 3 and more antidiabetic agents) were significantly and statistically encountered and associated parameters for the risk of falls. The presence of additional risk factors for falls (e.g., previous stroke, alcoholism, cardiac dysrhythmia, and osteoarthrosis) augmented this risk.Conclusions: Diabetes and its treatment render older people more liable for falls. The longer duration of the disease and the higher patients’ age (which were the commonest risks) are irreversible and non-correctable parameters for falls. Further analytic studies are required to unveil the role of each risk factor authors have detected.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 107602961988000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Céline Martin ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
Samuel Z. Goldhaber ◽  
Russell D. Hull ◽  
Adrian F. Hernandez ◽  
...  

Major medical illnesses place patients at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Some risk factors including age ≥75 years or history of cancer place them at increased risk of VTE that extends for at least 5 to 6 weeks following hospital admission. Betrixaban thromboprophylaxis is now approved in the United States for this indication. We estimated the annual number of acutely ill medical patients at extended risk of VTE discharged from US hospital. Major medical illnesses (stroke, respiratory failure/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, pneumonia, other infections, and rheumatologic disorders) and 2 common risk factors for extended VTE risk, namely, age ≥75 years and history of cancer (active or past) were examined in 2014 US hospital discharges using the first 3 discharge diagnosis codes in the National Inpatient Sample (database of acute-care hospital discharges from the US Agency for Health Care Quality and Research). In 2014, there were 20.8 million discharges with potentially at risk of nonsurgical-related VTE. Overall, 7.2 million (35%) discharges corresponded to major medical illness that warranted thromboprophylaxis according to 2012 American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) guideline. Among them, 2.79 million were aged ≥75 years and 1.36 million had a history of cancer (aged 40-74 years). Overall, 3.48 million discharges were at extended risk of VTE. Many medical inpatients at risk of VTE according to 2012 ACCP guideline might benefit from the awareness of continuing risk and some of these patients might benefit from extended thromboprophylaxis, depending on the risk of bleeding and comorbidities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Tatiana A. Богданова

BACKGROUND: Falls are one of the most common syndromes in old age. An estimated 646,000 deaths from falls occur each year worldwide. Moreover, most fatal falls occur in people over 65 years of age. Most falls are the result of the interaction of several factors. AIMS: To examine the long-term effectiveness of multifactorial interventions in preventing falls in elderly and senile patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of patients territorially attached to the Family Medicine Center of the North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov was established four years ago. Individual fall prevention programs were developed for all study participants (n = 260) because they had different falls risk factors. Patient follow-up was continued for 12 months. The results of the multifactorial intervention were evaluated after 12 months and after 3 years, 2 times in total, the last study in a random subsample of patients (n = 84). Aging asthenia screening, questionnaires, assessment of emotional status, and presence of sleep disturbances were performed to assess the risk of falls. The effectiveness of multifactorial interventions was assessed based on repeated assessment of risk factors for falls. RESULTS: Participants with a history of falls were significantly more likely to have symptoms of depression, anxiety, symptoms of frailty, visual and hearing impairment (p 0.05). On average, each participant in the group with falls had 6.1 2.1 risk factors for falls and 3.8 2.3 in the group without falls (p = 0.000). During the follow-up period after the interventions, the incidence of falls decreased 9-fold after one year (from 28.5% to 3.1%) and then increased to 23.8%. All patients who fell after the multifactorial intervention had a history of cognitive impairment and falls. In addition, in the group of patients with falls, fall risk factors such as low levels of physical activity, hearing impairment, and the presence of a traumatic environment at home were not eliminated. As a result of the interventions, fear of falls disappeared in 9 patients, 95% CI (2.35-65.89), p = 0.039. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated a decrease in the effectiveness of multifactorial interventions to prevent falls at three years. A less persistent effect was seen in patients with a history of falls. A history of falls, symptoms of frailty, complaints of fear of falls, sleep disturbances, and anxiety symptoms were factors that increased the risk of falls. Individualized fall prevention programs resulted in decreased fear of falls.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000454
Author(s):  
Sofia Ajeganova ◽  
Ingiäld Hafström ◽  
Johan Frostegård

ObjectiveSLE is a strong risk factor for premature cardiovascular (CV) disease and mortality. We investigated which factors could explain poor prognosis in SLE compared with controls.MethodsPatients with SLE and population controls without history of clinical CV events who performed carotid ultrasound examination were recruited for this study. The outcome was incident CV event and death. Event-free survival rates were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves. Relative HR (95% CI) was used to estimate risk of outcome.ResultsPatients (n=99, 87% female), aged 47 (13) years and with a disease duration of 12 (9) years, had mild disease at inclusion, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Diseases Activity Index score of 3 (1–6) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) Damage Index score of 0 (0–1). The controls (n=109, 91% female) were 49 (12) years old. Baseline carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) did not differ between the groups, but plaques were more prevalent in patients (p=0.068). During 10.1 (9.8-10.2) years, 12 patients and 4 controls reached the outcome (p=0.022). Compared with the controls, the risk of the adverse outcome in patients increased threefold to fourfold taking into account age, gender, history of smoking and diabetes, family history of CV, baseline body mass index, waist circumference, C reactive protein, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, dyslipidaemia, cIMT and presence of carotid plaque. In patients, higher SLICC score and SLE-antiphospholipid syndrome (SLE-APS) were associated with increased risk of the adverse outcome, with respective HRs of 1.66 (95% CI 1.20 to 2.28) and 9.08 (95% CI 2.71 to 30.5), as was cIMT with an HR of 1.006 (95% CI 1.002 to 1.01). The combination of SLICC and SLE-APS with cIMT significantly improved prediction of the adverse outcome (p<0.001).ConclusionIn patients with mild SLE of more than 10 years duration, there is a threefold to fourfold increased risk of CV events and death compared with persons who do not have SLE with similar pattern of traditional CV risk factors, cIMT and presence of carotid plaque. SLICC, SLE-APS and subclinical atherosclerosis may indicate a group at risk of worse outcome in SLE.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e045356
Author(s):  
Nick A Francis ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
Matthew Knight ◽  
Rama Vancheeswaran ◽  
Charles Oliver ◽  
...  

ObjectiveIdentify predictors of clinical deterioration in a virtual hospital (VH) setting for COVID-19.DesignReal-world prospective observational study.SettingVH remote assessment service in West Hertfordshire NHS Trust, UK.ParticipantsPatients with suspected COVID-19 illness enrolled directly from the community (postaccident and emergency (A&E) or medical intake assessment) or postinpatient admission.Main outcome measureDeath or (re-)admission to inpatient hospital care during VH follow-up and for 2 weeks post-VH discharge.Results900 patients with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 (455 referred from A&E or medical intake and 445 postinpatient) were included in the analysis. 76 (8.4%) of these experienced clinical deterioration (15 deaths in admitted patients, 3 deaths in patients not admitted and 58 additional inpatient admissions). Predictors of clinical deterioration were increase in age (OR 1.04 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.06) per year of age), history of cancer (OR 2.87 (95% CI 1.41 to 5.82)), history of mental health problems (OR 1.76 (95% CI 1.02 to 3.04)), severely impaired renal function (OR for eGFR <30=9.09 (95% CI 2.01 to 41.09)) and having a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result (OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.11 to 3.60)).ConclusionsThese predictors may help direct intensity of monitoring for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 who are being remotely monitored by primary or secondary care services. Further research is needed to confirm our findings and identify the reasons for increased risk of clinical deterioration associated with cancer and mental health problems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2451-2453
Author(s):  
Shahid Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Fareed Khan ◽  
Raja Imtiaz Ahmed ◽  
Shahab Saidullah ◽  
Nisar Ahmed ◽  
...  

Objective: To find out the pattern of CHD and associated risk factors among children presenting at a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: A case-control study. Place and Duration of the Study: The Department of Pediatrics and Department of Cardiology, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Hospital, Rawlakot from July 2020 to June 2021. Material and Methods: A total of 207 children of both genders, screened by ECG along with chest x-ray and further confirmed with the diagnosis of CHD through echocardiography were enrolled as cases. Same number of healthy controls (n=207) were recruited from immunization center of the study institution. Among cases, types of CHD were noted. For cases and controls, demographic, antenatal and maternal risk factors including maternal age, gender of the child, history of consanguinity, history of febrile illness in pregnancy, use or multi-vitamin or folic acid in pregnancy, bad obstetrical history and maternal diabetes mellitus were noted. Results: In a total of 414 children (207 cases and 207 controls), there were 219 (53.8%) male. In terms of CHD types among cases, VSD was the most noted in 62 (30.0%), ASD 35 (16.9%), TOF 33 (15.9%) and PDA in 30 (14.5%). Cases were found to have significant association with younger age (78.3% cases below 1 year of age vs. 64.7% in controls, p=0.0085), bad obstetrical history (p=0.0002), history of febrile illness in 1st trimester of pregnancy (p=0.0229) and lack of multivitamins and folic acid in the 1st trimester of pregnancy (p=0.0147). Conclusion: Majority of the children with CHDs were male and aged below 1 year. VSD, ASD, TOF and PDA were the most frequent types of CHD. Younger age, bad obstetrical history, history of febrile illness in 1st trimester of pregnancy and lack of multivitamins and folic acid in the 1st trimester of pregnancy were found to have significant association with CHDs among children. Keywords: Congenital heart disease, echocardiography, ventricular septal defect.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Salmoirago-Blotcher ◽  
Kathleen M Hovey ◽  
Judith K Ockene ◽  
Chris A Andrews ◽  
Jennifer Robinson ◽  
...  

Background: Statin therapy is recommended for treatment of hypercholesterolemia and prevention of cardiovascular events. Concerns have been raised about a potentially higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke in statin users; however, there is limited information in women and in older populations. We evaluated whether statin treatment was associated with increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke among women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI). Methods: This secondary data analysis was conducted among 68,132 women enrolled in the WHI Clinical Trials (CTs). Participants were 50 to 79 yrs old; postmenopausal; and were followed through 2005 (parent study) and for an additional 5 yrs (through September 30, 2010) in the WHI extension study. Statin use was assessed at baseline and at follow-up (FU) visits at 1, 3, 6, and 9 years. Women brought all medications in original containers for inventory. Strokes were self-reported annually and adjudicated by medical record review. Risk of hemorrhagic stroke by statin use (modeled as a time-varying covariate, with the “no use” category as the referent) was estimated from Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for age (model 1); risk factors for hemorrhagic stroke (model 2); and possible confounders by indication (model 3). All models adjusted for enrollment in the different CTs and in the extension study. Participants were censored at the date of last contact or loss to FU. Pre-specified subgroup analyses were conducted according to use or non-use of antiplatelet medications (including aspirin) or anticoagulants, and prior history of stroke. Results: Final models included 67,882 women (mean age at baseline 63 ± 7 yrs). Over a mean FU of 12 yrs, incidence rates of hemorrhagic stroke were 6.4/10,000 person-years among women on statins and 5.0/10,000 person-years among women not taking statins. The unadjusted risk of hemorrhagic stroke in statin users vs. non-users was 1.21 (CI: 0.96, 1.53). The HR was attenuated to 0.98 (CI: 0.76, 1.26) after adjusting for age, hypertension, and other risk factors for hemorrhagic stroke. Planned subgroups analyses showed that women taking both statins and antiplatelet agents had a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke than women taking antiplatelet medications without statins (HR: 1.59; CI: 1.02, 2.46), whereas women not taking antiplatelet medications had no risk elevation with statins (HR=0.79; CI: 0.58-1.08); P for interaction = .01. No significant interactions were found for anticoagulant use or prior history of stroke, but the statistical power for these analyses was low. Conclusion: Statin use was not associated with an overall increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke among older community-dwelling women. However, women taking statins in conjunction with antiplatelet medications had elevated risk; a finding that warrants further study and potential incorporation into clinical decision making.


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