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Pronk AC, Wang L, van Poelgeest EP, Leeflang MMG, Daams JG, Hoekstra AG, van der Velde N. The impact of cardiovascular diagnostics and treatments on fall risk in older adults: a scoping review and evidence map. GeroScience 2024; 46:153-169. [PMID: 37864713 PMCID: PMC10828261 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00974-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to summarize the published evidence on the fall risk reducing potential of cardiovascular diagnostics and treatments in older adults. METHODS Design: scoping review and evidence map. DATA SOURCES Medline and Embase. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA all available published evidence; Key search concepts: "older adults," "cardiovascular evaluation," "cardiovascular intervention," and "falls." Studies reporting on fall risk reducing effect of the diagnostic/treatment were included in the evidence map. Studies that investigated cardiovascular diagnostics or treatments within the context of falls, but without reporting a fall-related outcome, were included in the scoping review for qualitative synthesis. RESULTS Two articles on cardiovascular diagnostics and eight articles on cardiovascular treatments were included in the evidence map. Six out of ten studies concerned pacemaker intervention of which one meta-analyses that included randomized controlled trials with contradictory results. A combined cardiovascular assessment/evaluation (one study) and pharmacotherapy in orthostatic hypotension (one study) showed fall reducing potential. The scoping review contained 40 articles on cardiovascular diagnostics and one on cardiovascular treatments. It provides an extensive overview of several diagnostics (e.g., orthostatic blood pressure measurements, heart rhythm assessment) useful in fall prevention. Also, diagnostics were identified, that could potentially provide added value in fall prevention (e.g., blood pressure variability and head turning). CONCLUSION Although the majority of studies showed a reduction in falls after the intervention, the total amount of evidence regarding the effect of cardiovascular diagnostics/treatments on falls is small. Our findings can be used to optimize fall prevention strategies and develop an evidence-based fall prevention care pathway. Adhering to the World guidelines on fall prevention recommendations, it is crucial to undertake a standardized assessment of cardiovascular risk factors, followed by supplementary testing and corresponding interventions, as effective components of fall prevention strategies. In addition, accompanying diagnostics such as blood pressure variability and head turning can be of added value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouschka C Pronk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Aging and Later Life, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Liping Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Aging and Later Life, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eveline P van Poelgeest
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Aging and Later Life, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Mariska M G Leeflang
- Department of Epidemiology and Data Science Section of Methodology, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost G Daams
- Medical Library, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alfons G Hoekstra
- Computational Science Lab, Informatics Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie van der Velde
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Aging and Later Life, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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O'Halloran AM, Cremers J, Vrangbæk K, Roe L, Bourke R, Mortensen LH, Westendorp RGJ, Kenny RA. Cardiovascular disease and the risk of incident falls and mortality among adults aged ≥ 65 years presenting to the emergency department: a cohort study from national registry data in Denmark. BMC Geriatr 2024; 24:93. [PMID: 38267873 PMCID: PMC10809657 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-023-04618-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falls cause 58% of injury-related Emergency Department (ED) attendances. Previous research has highlighted the potential role of cardiovascular risk factors for falls. This study investigated the impact of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk on three-year incident falls, with presentation to the ED, and mortality. METHODS A matched cohort study design was employed using national registry data from 82,292 adults (33% male) aged ≥ 65 years living in Denmark who attended the ED in 2013. We compared age and gender matched ED attendees presenting with a fall versus another reason. The cohort was followed for three-year incident falls, with presentation to the ED, and mortality. The impact of falls-related CVDs was also examined. RESULTS Three-year incident falls was twofold higher among age and gender matched ED attendees aged ≥ 65 years presenting with a fall versus another reason at baseline. A presentation of falls with hip fracture had the highest percentage of incident falls in the 65-74 age group (22%) and the highest percentage mortality in all age groups (27-62%). CVD was not a significant factor in presenting with a fall at the ED, nor did it contribute significantly to the prediction of three-year incident falls. CVD was strongly associated with mortality risk among the ED fall group (RR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.67-1.97) and showed interactions with both age and fall history. CONCLUSION In this large study of adults aged ≥ 65 years attending the ED utilising data from national administrative registers in Denmark, we confirm that older adults attending the ED with a fall, including those with hip fracture, were at greatest risk for future falls. While CVD did not predict incident falls, it increased the risk of mortality in the three-year follow up with advancing age. This may be informative for the provision of care pathways for older adults attending the ED due to a fall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisling M O'Halloran
- Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Central, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Jolien Cremers
- Data Science Lab, Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karsten Vrangbæk
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Health Economics and Policy, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lorna Roe
- Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Central, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland
- Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Centre for Health Policy and Management, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Robert Bourke
- Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Central, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland
- Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Laust H Mortensen
- Data Science Lab, Statistics Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rudi G J Westendorp
- Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Trinity Central, 152-160 Pearse Street, Dublin, Ireland
- Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Shimizu Y, Taga M, Takahashi Y, Yamamoto Y, Masauji T. Risk assessment of accidental falls in patients taking trazodone, quetiapine, or risperidone for insomnia: A single-center, case-control study. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2022; 42:532-537. [PMID: 36321609 PMCID: PMC9773723 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM No consensus has been reached on the association between the risk of falls and antipsychotic and antidepressant drug use. In this study, we evaluated the risk of falls with trazodone, risperidone, and quetiapine, which are recommended for use at Kanazawa Medical University Hospital. METHODS We reviewed all patients who were admitted to Kanazawa Medical University Hospital between January 1st and December 31st, 2018. We excluded those aged <20 years and those admitted to pediatric, intensive care, and psychiatric wards. Finally, 9273 patients were included. We reviewed the incidence in these patients of accidental falls reported to the medical safety department. We noted whether these patients received trazodone, quetiapine, or risperidone. We also observed whether they were taking a benzodiazepine receptor agonist, which is a known risk factor. We further examined each patient's age, sex, the department they were visiting, and their diseases. Patients were considered to have taken medication if it was administered within 24 hours before an accidental fall. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk of accidental fall. RESULTS Multivariate analysis showed that the adjusted odds ratios (OR) for each medication (with 95% confidence intervals) were: trazodone (OR, 0.47 [0.27-0.80]), quetiapine (OR, 1.06 [0.46-2.46]), and risperidone (OR, 0.82 [0.41-1.63]). CONCLUSION The association of risperidone and quetiapine with accidental falls was unclear. Interestingly, however, trazodone may help reduce the risk, which makes it a potential pharmacologic treatment option for insomnia in patients at high risk for accidental falls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihito Shimizu
- Department of PharmacyKanazawa Medical University HospitalKahokuJapan
| | - Masatoshi Taga
- Department of PharmacyKanazawa Medical University HospitalKahokuJapan
| | | | - Yasuhiko Yamamoto
- Medical Safety DivisionKanazawa Medical University HospitalKahokuJapan
| | - Togen Masauji
- Department of PharmacyKanazawa Medical University HospitalKahokuJapan
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Donoghue OA, Hernandez B, O'Connell MDL, Kenny RA. Using conditional inference forests to examine predictive ability for future falls and syncope in older adults: Results from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2022; 78:673-682. [PMID: 35921194 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glac156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The extent to which gait and mobility measures predict falls relative to other risk factors is unclear. This study examined predictive accuracy of over 70 baseline risk factors, including gait and mobility, for future falls and syncope using conditional inference forest models. METHODS Data from three waves of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), a population-based study of community-dwelling adults aged ≥50 years were used (n=4,706). Outcome variables were recurrent falls, injurious falls, unexplained falls and syncope occurring over four year follow-up. Predictive accuracy was calculated using 5 fold cross-validation; as there was class imbalance, the algorithm was trained using undersampling of the larger class. Classification rate, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and area under the precision recall curve (PRAUC) assessed predictive accuracy. RESULTS Highest overall accuracy was 69.7% for recurrent falls in 50-64 year olds. AUROC and PRAUC were ≤0.69 and ≤0.39 respectively for all outcomes indicating low predictive accuracy. History of falls, unsteadiness while walking, fear of falling, mobility, medications , mental health and cardiovascular health and function were the most important predictors for most outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Conditional inference forest models using over 70 risk factors resulted in low predictive accuracy for future recurrent, injurious and unexplained falls and syncope in community-dwelling adults. Gait and mobility impairments were important predictors of most outcomes but did not discriminate well between fallers and non-fallers. Results highlight the importance of multifactorial risk assessment and intervention and validate key modifiable risk factors for future falls and syncope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orna A Donoghue
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Belinda Hernandez
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Matthew D L O'Connell
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Mercer's Institute for Successful Ageing (MISA), St James's Hospital, Dublin
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Wang L, van Poelgeest EP, Pronk AC, Daams JG, Leeflang MMG, Hoekstra AG, van der Velde N. Impact of cardiovascular evaluations and interventions on fall risk in older adults: a protocol for a scoping review and evidence map. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e057959. [PMID: 35443960 PMCID: PMC9021776 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cardiovascular disorders are increasingly recognised as important fall risk factors in older adults. Falls are a major public health problem in older adults, and therefore, effective interventions for reducing falls are essential for this population. Cardiovascular disease is a clinically relevant (but often overlooked) and potentially modifiable risk factor for falls. Literature describing the effects of cardiovascular assessments and treatments on fall prevention has generally focused on only one specific test or treatment. A comprehensive, comparative overview surrounding the effectiveness of available assessments and treatments on cardiovascular related fall risk is currently lacking. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A scoping review and evidence map will be conducted to summarise the available evidence regarding the (comparative) effectiveness of cardiovascular assessments and therapeutic interventions on reducing fall risk in older individuals. A systematic and comprehensive literature search will be performed in MEDLINE and Embase using the key components 'older adults', 'cardiovascular evaluation', 'cardiovascular intervention' and 'falls'. Furthermore, we will create an evidence map to summarise the quantity and quality of currently available evidence identified in the scoping review. The evidence map will consider, but will not be limited to, observational studies, randomised controlled trials and reviews evaluating cardiovascular tests and treatments (vs controls) on fall risk in older adults. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The scoping review and evidence map will only include data that are publicly available and, therefore, ethical approval is not required. The results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific conferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Wang
- Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eveline P van Poelgeest
- Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anouschka C Pronk
- Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost G Daams
- Medical Library, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mariska M G Leeflang
- Section of Methodology, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alfons G Hoekstra
- Computational Science Laboratory, Informatics Institute, Faculty of Science, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nathalie van der Velde
- Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, location AMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Dobberke J, Baritello O, Hadzic M, Völler H, Eichler S, Salzwedel A. Test-retest reliability of center of pressure measures for postural control assessment in older cardiac patients. Gait Posture 2022; 92:359-363. [PMID: 34920361 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elderly patients are a growing population in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). As postural control declines with age, assessment of impaired balance is important in older CR patients in order to predict fall risk and to initiate counteracting steps. Functional balance tests are subjective and lack adequate sensitivity to small differences, and are further subject to ceiling effects. A quantitative approach to measure postural control on a continuous scale is therefore desirable. Force plates are already used for this purpose in other clinical contexts, therefore could be a promising tool also for older CR patients. However, in this population the reliability of the assessment is not fully known. RESEARCH QUESTION Analysis of test-retest reliability of center of pressure (CoP) measures for the assessment of postural control using a force plate in older CR patients. METHODS 156 CR patients (≥75 years) were enrolled. CoP measures (path length (PL), mean velocity (MV), and 95% confidence ellipse area (95CEA)) were analyzed twice with an interval of two days in between (bipedal narrow stance, eyes open (EO) and closed (EC), three trials for each condition, 30 s per trial), using a force plate. For test-retest reliability estimation absolute differences (Δ: T0-T1), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals, standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were calculated. RESULTS Under EO condition ICC were excellent for PL and MV (0.95) and good for 95CEA (0.88) with Δ of 10.1 cm (PL), 0.3 cm/sec (MV) and 1.5 cm2 (95CEA) respectively. Under EC condition ICC were excellent (≥ 0.95) for all variables with larger Δ (PL: 21.7 cm; MV: 0.7 cm/sec; 95CEA: 2.4 cm2). SIGNIFICANCE In older CR patients, the assessment of CoP measures using a force plate shows good to excellent test-retest reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanette Dobberke
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Omar Baritello
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Miralem Hadzic
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Heinz Völler
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Germany; Klinik am See, Rehabilitation Center for Internal Medicine, Rüdersdorf, Germany.
| | - Sarah Eichler
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Annett Salzwedel
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, University of Potsdam, Germany.
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Donoghue OA, O’Connell MDL, Bourke R, Kenny RA. Is orthostatic hypotension and co-existing supine and seated hypertension associated with future falls in community-dwelling older adults? Results from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252212. [PMID: 34043698 PMCID: PMC8158994 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) often co-exists with hypertension. As increasing age affects baroreflex sensitivity, it loses its ability to reduce blood pressure when lying down. Therefore, supine hypertension may be an important indicator of baroreflex function. This study examines (i) the association between OH and future falls in community-dwelling older adults and (ii) if these associations persist in those with co-existing OH and baseline hypertension, measured supine and seated. Data from 1500 community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) were used. Continuous beat-to-beat blood pressure was measured using digital photoplethysmography during an active stand procedure with OH defined as a drop in systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥20 mmHg and/or ≥10 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) within 3 minutes of standing. OH at 40 seconds (OH40) was used as a marker of impaired early stabilisation and OH sustained over the second minute (sustained OH) was used to indicate a more persistent deficit, similar to traditional OH definitions. Seated and supine hypertension were defined as SBP ≥140 mm Hg or DBP ≥90 mm Hg. Modified Poisson models were used to estimate relative risk of falls (recurrent, injurious, unexplained) and syncope occurring over four year follow-up. OH40 was independently associated with recurrent (RR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.02,1.65), injurious (RR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.13,1.79) and unexplained falls (RR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.13,2.13). Sustained OH was associated with injurious (RR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.18,2.05) and unexplained falls (RR = 1.63, 95% CI = 1.06,2.50). OH and co-existing hypertension was associated with all falls outcomes but effect sizes were consistently larger with seated versus supine hypertension. OH, particularly when co-existing with hypertension, was independently associated with increased risk of future falls. Stronger effect sizes were observed with seated versus supine hypertension. This supports previous findings and highlights the importance of assessing orthostatic blood pressure behaviour in older adults at risk of falls and with hypertension. Observed associations may reflect underlying comorbidities, reduced cerebral perfusion or presence of white matter hyperintensities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orna A. Donoghue
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- * E-mail:
| | - Matthew D. L. O’Connell
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Population Health and Environmental Sciences, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Bourke
- Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing (MISA), St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rose Anne Kenny
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing (MISA), St James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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Michalcova J, Vasut K, Airaksinen M, Bielakova K. Inclusion of medication-related fall risk in fall risk assessment tool in geriatric care units. BMC Geriatr 2020; 20:454. [PMID: 33158417 PMCID: PMC7648375 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-020-01845-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Falls are common undesirable events for older adults in institutions. Even though the patient's fall risk may be scored on admission, the medication-induced fall risk may be ignored. This study developed a preliminary categorization of fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) to be added as a risk factor to the existing fall risk assessment tool routinely used in geriatric care units. METHODS Medication use data of older adults who had experienced at least one fall during a hospital ward or a nursing home stay within a 2-year study period were retrospectively collected from patient records. Medicines used were classified into three risk categories (high, moderate and none) according to the fall risk information in statutory summaries of product characteristics (SmPCs). The fall risk categorization incorporated the relative frequency of such adverse drug effects (ADEs) in SmPCs that were known to be connected to fall risk (sedation, orthostatic hypotension, syncope, dizziness, drowsiness, changes in blood pressure or impaired balance). Also, distribution of fall risk scores assessed on admission without considering medications was counted. RESULTS The fall-experienced patients (n = 188, 128 from the hospital and 60 from nursing home records) used altogether 1748 medicaments, including 216 different active substances. Of the active substances, 102 (47%) were categorized as high risk (category A) for increasing fall risk. Fall-experienced patients (n = 188) received a mean of 3.8 category A medicines (n = 710), 53% (n = 375) of which affected the nervous and 40% (n = 281) the cardiovascular system. Without considering medication-related fall risk, 53% (n = 100) of the patients were scored having a high fall risk (3 or 4 risk scores). CONCLUSION It was possible to develop a preliminary categorization of FRIDs basing on their adverse drug effect profile in SmPCs and frequency of use in older patients who had experienced at least one documented fall in a geriatric care unit. Even though more than half of the fall-experienced study participants had high fall risk scores on admission, their fall risk might have been underestimated as use of high fall risk medicines was common, even concomitant use. Further studies are needed to develop the FRID categorization and assess its impact on fall risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Michalcova
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Applied Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackeho 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Clinical Pharmacy Group, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Karel Vasut
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Applied Pharmacy, Masaryk University, Palackeho 1946/1, 612 42, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Marja Airaksinen
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Clinical Pharmacy Group, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5E, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katarina Bielakova
- Clinic of Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Practical Medicine, University Hospital Brno, Jihlavska 20, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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