TY - JOUR
T1 - Falls in the elderly
T2 - A modern look at an old problem
AU - Gelbard, Rondi
AU - Inaba, Kenji
AU - Okoye, Obi T.
AU - Morrell, Michael
AU - Saadi, Zainab
AU - Lam, Lydia
AU - Talving, Peep
AU - Demetriades, Demetrios
PY - 2014/8
Y1 - 2014/8
N2 - Background Falls are a leading cause of unintentional injury among adults, especially those over 65 years of age. With increasing longevity and improving access to health care, falls are affecting a more mobile senior citizen population that does not fit the typical profile. We set out to evaluate the current nature of these falls in the elderly. Methods This is a 2-year retrospective chart review of all falls in patients 65 years or older at an urban Level I trauma center. Demographics, location and height of fall, associated injuries, and outcomes were obtained from chart review. Results There were 400 patients meeting inclusion criteria. The cohort had a mean age of 78.3 ± 8.8 years, 50% were male, and 72.5% had at least 1 comorbidity. Non-ground level falls (Non-GLF) were recorded in 56 patients (14%). These patients suffered a significantly higher injury burden. Non-GLF were associated with significantly higher intensive care unit length of stay (2.6 ± 5.6 vs 4.6 ± 6.7 days, P =.016) and a trend toward higher mortality than GLF. Conclusions Falls remain a source of considerable healthcare expenditure, especially among the elderly. Non-GLF account for 14% of cases and are associated with a significantly higher burden of injury and morbidity. Fall prevention strategies should include these active older individuals at risk of high-level falls.
AB - Background Falls are a leading cause of unintentional injury among adults, especially those over 65 years of age. With increasing longevity and improving access to health care, falls are affecting a more mobile senior citizen population that does not fit the typical profile. We set out to evaluate the current nature of these falls in the elderly. Methods This is a 2-year retrospective chart review of all falls in patients 65 years or older at an urban Level I trauma center. Demographics, location and height of fall, associated injuries, and outcomes were obtained from chart review. Results There were 400 patients meeting inclusion criteria. The cohort had a mean age of 78.3 ± 8.8 years, 50% were male, and 72.5% had at least 1 comorbidity. Non-ground level falls (Non-GLF) were recorded in 56 patients (14%). These patients suffered a significantly higher injury burden. Non-GLF were associated with significantly higher intensive care unit length of stay (2.6 ± 5.6 vs 4.6 ± 6.7 days, P =.016) and a trend toward higher mortality than GLF. Conclusions Falls remain a source of considerable healthcare expenditure, especially among the elderly. Non-GLF account for 14% of cases and are associated with a significantly higher burden of injury and morbidity. Fall prevention strategies should include these active older individuals at risk of high-level falls.
KW - Falls
KW - Geriatric trauma
KW - Injury prevention
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84905099540&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2013.12.034
DO - 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2013.12.034
M3 - Article
C2 - 24814307
AN - SCOPUS:84905099540
SN - 0002-9610
VL - 208
SP - 249
EP - 253
JO - American Journal of Surgery
JF - American Journal of Surgery
IS - 2
ER -