[Falls in hospitalized elderly patients: incidence and risk factors].
Aim of the study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for falls in hospitalized elderly patients. In a prospective observational study we investigated the characteristics of 620 elderly patients. We examined demographic variables, cognitive and functional status, main pathologies and drugs. Balance and gait were evaluated by Tinetti's scale. Seventy patients (11.3%) fell during hospitalization. The incidence rate of first falls was 5.2 per 1000 patient-days. Five independent variables were significantly and independently associated to falls: age, balance impairment, acute cognitive impairment, diabetes, and use of tricyclic antidepressants. Falls are common in hospitalized elderly patients and risk factors identification can be useful for a targeted multiple intervention falls prevention programme.
Zanocchi
Mauro
M
Dipartimento di Discipline Medico-Chirurgiche, Sezione di Geriatria, Università, Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni Battista, Torino.
Pilon
Silvia
S
Speme
Stefania
S
Nicola
Elena
E
Corsinovi
Laura
L
Ponte
Elisabetta
E
Cerrato
Flavio
F
Luppino
Angela
A
Martinelli
Elisa
E
Margolicci
Angela
A
Molaschi
Mario
M
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000208:Acute Disease; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic