Fear of Falling among Older Patients Admitted to Hospital after Falls in Vietnam: Prevalence, Associated Factors and Correlation with Impaired Health-Related Quality of Life

Abstract

Fear of falling (FOF) diminishes older people’s independence in daily activities, as well as causes serious health and economic consequences. This study examined the prevalence of FOF in older patients hospitalized due to fall-injuries, its effect on health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and its associated factors. We conducted a cross-sectional study in seven hospitals in Thai Binh, Vietnam. FOF was assessed using a single close-ended question. HRQOL was evaluated by the EQ-5D-5L instrument. Multilevel logistic regression and Tobit regression models were utilized. The prevalence of FOF in 405 older patients admitted to hospitals after fall injuries was 88.2%, with a mean EQ-5D index and EQ-VAS of 0.34 (SD = 0.38) and 61.6 (SD = 15.2), respectively. Factors associated with FOF included living alone (OR = 0.13, 95%CI = 0.04; 0.50.,), history of eye diseases (OR = 4.12; 95%CI = 1.91; 8.89), and experiencing psychological distress (OR= 3.56, 95% CI = 1.05; 12.00). After adjusting for confounders, the EQ-5D index in the FOF group reduced by 0.15 points (Coef. = −0.15; 95%CI= −0.24; −0.05) compared to that of non-FOF group. Our study shows that FOF had an independent negative relationship with HRQOL of patients. Improving knowledge about fall prevention in patients and caregivers could reduce the burden of falls in older people.

Falls risk score removal does not impact inpatient falls: A stepped‐wedge, cluster‐randomised trial

“…Falls in older patients are common adverse events in hospital settings (da Costa et al., 2012; Matarese et al., 2015; Oliver et al., 2008). Patient falls can result in physical injury, fear of falling, anxiety and depression, impact on quality of life and social isolation (da Costa et al., 2012; Nguyen et al., 2019, 2020; Oliver et al., 2008). Falls are also known to prolong the rehabilitation period and contribute to early admission into residential care (da Costa et al., 2012; Matarese et al., 2015; Oliver et al., 2008).…”

Impact of Nurses’ Intervention in the Prevention of Falls in Hospitalized Patients

“…The characteristics of people who suffered a fall correspond in many ways with those described in the reviewed literature. There is evidence that relates advanced age to falls [ 7 , 14 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. In our study, 85.8% of people that fell were 65 years and older, and 85.7% of those who fell were men; we found similar percentages in a few studies [ 7 , 18 ].…”

An Agile Digital Platform to Support Population Health—A Case Study of a Digital Platform to Support Patients with Delirium Using IoT, NLP, and AI

“…A fear of falling is often a contributor to fall injuries inside and outside hospitals [ 85 ]. Such a fear is a pervasive psychological problem in older people and not only contributes to falls [ 86 ], but also makes them avoid activities that can keep them healthy, i.e., less dependent on society and medications [ 87 , 88 , 89 ].…”