[Epidemiology of falls among stroke patients hospitalized in a rehabilitation unit: a three year survey].
BACKGROUND
Falls are major complications in inpatient stroke rehabilitation. The early identification of those at risk is an important issue in preventive strategies.


OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to assess the risk factors for falls for patients hospitalized in a rehabilitation unit as a result of an acute stroke.


METHODS
We studied a cohort of 36 falls in 25 patients during the years 2000-2002. The questionnaire on each patient included general and medical information and the description of the event.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients fell once, five patients fell twice and two patients fell four times. In 89% of the falls, the patients were treated by tranquilizers, hypoglycemic, hypotensive or neuroleptic drugs. Most of the falls occurred in patients who suffered from hypotonus (72%), paralysis (58%) and hypoesthesia (52%) in the involved lower limb. A total of 67% of the falls occurred in males, 53% in patients over 65 years old, 47% during the first month after stroke and 36% in the second month. It was found that 78% of the falls happened during daytime and 64% took place in the patient's room. Communication disorders (28%), visuospatial agnosia (25%) and hemianopia (24%) were incremental risk factors for falls.


CONCLUSIONS
Stroke is associated with a risk of falling during the rehabilitation period. The identification of patients at risk may be a first step toward the implementation of fall-prevention measures for these patients.
Tsur
Atzmon
A
Rehabilitation Department, Western Galilee Hospital, Nahariya. azurgr@naharia.health.gov.il
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D012008:Recurrence; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires