Risk factors for falls among elderly patients admitted to Colombo North Teaching Hospital- Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives: Falls among the elderly lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Information on risk factors for falls among the elderly is lacking in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to describe characteristics of older adults admitted with falls to a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: Patients >60 years of age admitted with falls to surgical and medical wards of Colombo North Teaching Hospital between January-March 2021 were recruited. Data was gathered using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, after obtaining informed written consent. Results: Of 300 patients recruited 201 (67%) were women; 202 (67.3%) were between 60 -74 years of age. Most had diabetes (48.3%, n=145) and hypertension (54.0%, n=162), while 41% (n=123) were on >3 medications. Age >74 years (p<0.05) and use of long-term multiple medications (p<0.001) were significantly associated with falls.Fear of falling (p<0.001), cognitive impairment (p<0.001), depression (p<0.001), high-risk mobility (0<0.001),postural hypotension (p<0.001), and reduced visual acuity (p<0.001) were also strongly associated with falls. Conclusions: Most of the identified risk factors in this cohort were modifiable. Interventions on an individualbasis should be set up to reduce the risk of recurrent falls in the elderly.

Keywords

• falls
• elderly
• comprehensive geriatric assessment