Falls and Fractures Flashcards
What percentage of adults over 65 experience falls in the UK?
34%
What is the estimated annual cost of falls in the UK?
£4.4 billion
Where are falls more common in older adults?
Care homes and hospital settings
What is a major consequence of falls in the elderly?
Accelerated loss of independence
How many hip fractures occur annually in the UK?
70,000–75,000
What is the estimated cost of hip fractures per year?
£2 billion
What health condition doubles the risk of recurrent falls?
Frailty
What is the key feature of frailty?
Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass)
Name 5 intrinsic risk factors for falling.
Gait disturbance, vestibular dysfunction, impaired cognition, sensory loss, chronic illness (e.g. Parkinson’s)
What psychological factor increases fall risk after a previous fall?
Fear of falling
How many medications (polypharmacy) increase fall risk?
Four or more
List some medication classes that increase fall risk.
Hypnotics, anticholinergics, antihypertensives, opiates, hypoglycaemics, cardiac meds (diuretics, rate-limiters)
What is the issue with the term “mechanical fall”?
It usually reflects underlying frailty, not purely mechanical causes.
What are recurrent falls usually due to?
Frailty with a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.
What might sudden increased fall frequency suggest?
An underlying acute medical condition (e.g. infection).
Name 5 immediate medical complications of a fall.
Fractures, head injury, lacerations, dehydration, pneumonia
What is a “long lie”?
Lying on the floor for an extended period after a fall, leading to complications like AKI or hypothermia.
What are the 3 key features of fall prevention guidelines?
Risk stratification, assessment, management/intervention
What type of assessment is recommended for older adults with recurrent falls or gait imbalance?
Multifactorial falls risk assessment
Multifactorial risk assessment includes:
Gait/balance/muscle weakness
Osteoporosis risk
Visual and cognitive function
Urinary incontinence
Medication review
Cardiovascular exam
Home hazards
Fear of falling
What is the purpose of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment?
Holistic approach to assess functional, medical, cognitive, and social domains.
Name 4 difficulties in falls-related research.
Poor quality evidence, under-reporting (esp. men), small samples, lack of blinding
What is osteoporosis?
A condition of low bone mass and structural deterioration leading to bone fragility.
What test diagnoses osteoporosis?
DEXA scan (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry)
