Factors Associated with Falls in Patients with Cancer Hospitalized for Palliative Care

Abstract

Characteristics of falls in palliative care appear different from those evidenced in geriatric wards. To prevent delirium while prescribing neuroleptic drugs with the greatest caution should help decrease the number of falls in this highly vulnerable group of patients.

How to Identify Patients with Cancer at Risk of Falling: A Review of the Evidence

“…Conversely, nonvalidated tools were used to measure alertness and confusion and subjective methods used to assess muscle strength; any resulting misclassification bias involving these ordinal variables may have resulted in an away from the null bias, i.e., suggesting an association between the variable and falls where none exists. 18 In the study by Pautex et al, 33 the charts of all patients with advanced cancer hospitalised over a one year period were reviewed and the characteristics of those who fell during admission compared to those who did not. In addition to those variables shown to be associated with falls, as per Table 2, the following variables were examined; demographic details, Charlson Comorbidity Index, main medical diagnoses, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), functional independence measure, incident comorbidities, hemoglobin concentration, administration of opioid, benzodiazepine, neuroleptic, antiepileptic, antidepressant, hypotensive, diuretic, respiratory system, corticosteroid and antibiotic med- ications, use of parenteral hydration or nutrition, and administration of palliative sedation.…”

Falls in the Community-Dwelling Elderly With a History of Cancer

“…Evidence has shown that cancer-related fatigue 24, 25 and pain 26, 27 influences functional status in elderly survivors increasing the risk of falls 28 . Some evidence suggests that people with cancer fall more often than others 8–10 and that certain types of cancer 29, 30 or metastatic disease 30 may be associated with higher rates of falling. Three studies conducted in palliative care settings demonstrating the incidence rate of falls to be significantly higher 81031 .…”

“…Some evidence suggests that people with cancer fall more often than others 8–10 and that certain types of cancer 29, 30 or metastatic disease 30 may be associated with higher rates of falling. Three studies conducted in palliative care settings demonstrating the incidence rate of falls to be significantly higher 81031 . Both the rate of falls and risk of falling may be significantly higher for cancer survivors 8, 9 .…”

“…Three studies conducted in palliative care settings demonstrating the incidence rate of falls to be significantly higher 81031 . Both the rate of falls and risk of falling may be significantly higher for cancer survivors 8, 9 .…”

“…Cancer survivors are living longer but are continuing to encounter physical, psychosocial, and economic impacts until the end of life. The likelihood that an elderly cancer survivor experiences falls may be influenced by their cancer history 8–10 . Disparities in the occurrence of falls among cancer survivors are beginning to emerge in the literature 11–15 , and there is a need to understand whether the diagnosis of cancer increases the burden of falls.…”