Multidisciplinary approach to "accidental" falls in the elderly: a case report.
Falls in the elderly are commonly and often wrongly identified as "accidental". We report a case of an elderly woman admitted to first aid for a trauma due to an accidental fall. Geriatric multidisciplinary evaluation revealed mild cognitive impairment associated with depressive symptoms; both findings made the anamnesis uncertain. Syncope algorithm was applied and "tachy-brady form of sick sinus syndrome" was diagnosed. Differential diagnosis between "accidental" and "apparently accidental" falls in elderly patients is very difficult but a multidisciplinary geriatric evaluation can clarify the correct diagnosis.
Galizia
Gianluigi
G
Division of Geriatrics, Department of Clinical Medicine Cardiovascular and Immunological Science University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Testa
Gianluca
G
Mazzella
Francesca
F
Cacciatore
Francesco
F
Ungar
Andrea
A
Masotti
Giulio
G
Rengo
Franco
F
Abete
Pasquale
P
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D002346:Carotid Sinus / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis*