59 Falls among the Older Adults: Demographics and Risk Factors Analysis in a Clinic-Based Study

• Published in: Age and ageing 2019-12, Vol.48 (Supplement_4), p.iv13-iv17
• Main Authors: Pang, Gordon Hwa Mang, Quah, Jing Yao, Chong, Elizabeth Gar Mit, Razali, Rizah Mazzuin, Lee, Fatt Soon, Yau, Weng Keong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antihypertensives; Balance; Demography; Dizziness; Falls; Fractures; Medical records; Multivariate analysis; Older people; Patients; Pharmacy; Polypharmacy; Prescription drugs; Recurrent; Regression analysis; Risk factors
• ISSN: 0002-0729; 1468-2834
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afz164.59

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to analyse the demographic pattern, fall circumstances and identify risk factors associated with the occurrence of falls among older adults presenting to falls clinic Hospital Kuala Lumpur Setting and design A clinic-based cross-sectional study in Falls Clinic Hospital Kuala Lumpur Subjects and Method Medical records of 113 patients attending the Falls Clinic Hospital Kuala Lumpur were analysed. Data on falls circumstances, socioeconomic/demographic factors were collected, and possible risk factors were tested for possible association with outcome, i.e. Recurrent falls using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Of the 113 patients studied, 37.2% (42) were aged more than 80, female predominant 60.2 % (68). 73.5% (83) had recurrent falls and 80.5% (91) had indoor falls. The 3 most common mechanism of falls were tripped/slipped 39.8% (45), loose balance 38.9% (44) and dizziness 31% (35). 67.3% (76) sustained injuries, of which 27.6% (21) were major injuries. Among major injuries, 76.2% (16) had fractures and 23.8% (5) had ICH. The 3 commonest risk factors are poly-pharmacy (5 or more meds) 83.2% (94), poor vision 77.9% (88) and multiple co-morbidities (3 or more) 77%. After multiple logistic regression analysis, ‘usage of anti-hypertensives’ achieved statistically significance with OR of 3.85 (p value 0.008, 95% CI 1.41-10.52). Conclusion The usage of anti-hypertensives is associated with almost 4 times more likely to have recurrent falls after removing cofounding factors from our clinic based study. We should prioritise falls prevention on older adults with polypharmacy, poor vision and multiple comorbidities especially those with anti-hypertensives.