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.
Background There have always been concerns about the increased risk of falls in the older person taking antihypertensive medications. This retrospective study is aimed to determine whether different classes and number of antihypertensive medication used were associated with increased risk of falls in the older person. Methods Data was obtained from the geriatric clinic database in HKL from 2015-2018. The data for fallers were extracted from the Falls Clinic while data for the control group of non-fallers were extracted from the General Geriatric clinic. Socio-demographic details, types of falls, types of medications, and risk factors of falls were analysed. Results 117 of the cases who were fallers and 39 cases of non-fallers were analysed. Univariate logistic regression revealed that age, Parkinson’s disease and hypertension to have significant association with falls. The fallers were then analysed to assess falls risk with the use of antihypertensive medications. Those on one anti-hypertensive medication had an increased risk of recurrent falls (AOR = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.47–6.82) compared to those without antihypertensive medications (AOR = 0.37; CI: 0.13-1.03) and those with two or more antihypertensive medications (AOR = 0.56; CI: 0.27-1.16). Multivariate logistic regression also revealed that the use of all antihypertensive classes were not associated with recurrent falls and injuries from falls. However, patients who were on diuretics had significant odds of admission for falls (AOR 3.05; 95% CI 1.14-8.21) compared to ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (AOR 0.88; CI 0.38-2.10), beta blockers (AOR 0.88; CI 0.35-2.24), calcium channel blockers (AOR 0.96; CI 0.42-2.23) or alpha blockers (AOR 0.41; CI 0.09-1.99). Conclusion Older person with advanced age and Parkinson’s disease should be screened for risk of falling. In addition, all older people on antihypertensive medications especially diuretics should also be monitored for increased risk of falls.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.