Risk Factors of Close et al for Falls in an Elderly Patient from PROFET

Description

Close t al identified risk factors for falls in an older adult. This can help to identify a patient at high risk who may benefit from interventions to reduce risk. The authors are from Guy's, King's and St. Thomas's School of Medicine in London and participated in the PROFET trial (prevention of falls in the elderly trial).

Patient selection: age >= 65 years of age, community-dwelling, in the Emergency Department for a fall, not admitted

Parameters:

(1) number of falls in the past year

(2) indoor fall

(3) ability to get off the floor after a fall

(4) number of prescribed drugs

Parameter	Finding	Points
number of falls in past year	0	0
	1 or more	1
indoor fall	no	0
	yes	1
ability to get off the floor	no	1
	yes	0
number of prescribed drugs	0 to 3	0
	4 or more (polypharmacy)	1

where:

• An assumption is that the fall preceding the ED visit is not counted.

total score =

= SUM(points for all 4 parameters)

Interpretation:

• minimum score: 0

• maximum score: 4

• The higher the score the greater the risk of future fall and the greater the need for interventions.

• Being lost to follow-up reduces the chances for an intervention.

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10