Geriatric fall-related injuries.
BACKGROUND
Falls are the leading cause of geriatric injury.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to study the anatomical distribution, severity, and outcome of geriatric fall-related injuries in order to give recommendations regarding their prevention.


METHODS
All injured patients with an age ≥ 60 years who were admitted to Al-Ain Hospital or died in the Emergency Department due to falls were prospectively studied over a four year period.


RESULTS
We studied 92 patients. Fifty six of them (60.9%) were females. The mean (standard deviation) of age was 72.2 (9.6) years. Seventy three (89%) of all incidents occurred at home. Eighty three patients (90.2%) fell on the same level. The median (range) ISS was 4 (1-16) and the median GCS (range) was 15 (12-15). The lower limb was the most common injured body region (63%). There were no statistical significant differences between males and females regarding age, ISS, and hospital stay (p = 0.85, p = 0.57, and p = 0.35 respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of geriatric fall-related injuries were due to fall from the same level at home. Assessment of risk factors for falls including home hazards is essential for prevention of geriatric fall-related injuries.
Department of Surgery, Al Rahba Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Ashraf F
AF
Hefny
Trauma Group, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Alaa K
AK
Abbas
Trauma Group, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates; Department of Surgery, Al-Ain Hospital, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.
Fikri M
FM
Abu-Zidan
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate; D014479:United Arab Emirates; D014505:Urban Population; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery
Accidental fall; geriatrics; injury; trauma registry