Fall-risk increasing drugs and recurrent injurious falls association in older patients after hip fracture: a cohort study protocol

Fall risk factors among poly-medicated older Lebanese patients in primary care settings: a secondary cross-sectional analysis of the "MGPIDP-L project"

BACKGROUND

Falling is a major concern for the health of older adults and significantly affects their quality of life. Identifying the various risk factors and the differences between older patients can be challenging. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for falls among polymedicated community-dwelling older Lebanese patients following a medication review.

METHODS

In this analytical cross-sectional study, we examined the risk factors for falls in 850 patients aged ≥ 65 years who were taking ≥ 5 medications daily. The study involved conducting a medication review over the course of a year in primary care settings and using multivariate logistic regression analysis to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Our results showed that 106 (19.5%) of the 850 included patients had fallen at least once in the three months prior to the medication review. Loss of appetite and functional dependence were identified as the most significant predictors of falls ORa = 3.020, CI [2.074-4.397] and ORa = 2.877, CI [1.787-4.632], respectively. Other risk factors for falls included drowsiness ORa = 2.172, CI [1.499-3.145], and the use of beta-blockers ORa = 1.943, CI [1.339-2.820].

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the importance of addressing multiple risk factors for falls among Lebanese older adults and emphasizes the need for customized interventions and ongoing monitoring to prevent falls and improve health outcomes. This study sheds light on a critical issue in the Lebanese older population and provides valuable insight into the complex nature of falls among poly-medicated Lebanese community-dwelling older adults.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

2021REC-001- INSPECT -09-04.

A multidisciplinary approach to post-operative fragility hip fracture care in Thailand - a narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Appropriate care and rehabilitation following surgery for fragility hip fractures in older adults is associated with better outcomes and a greater likelihood of achieving pre-injury functioning. Clinical guidelines specifically for the post-operative care and rehabilitation of patients with hip fractures are scarce; as such, country-specific protocols benchmarked against established guidelines are essential given the wide variation in cultures and beliefs, clinical practice and diverse healthcare systems in Asia. We aimed to provide clinically relevant recommendations for post-operative fragility hip fracture care and rehabilitation to improve patient outcomes and prevent subsequent fractures in Thailand.

METHODS

A targeted literature review was conducted to identify key evidence on various elements of post-hip fracture care and rehabilitation. Further discussions at a meeting and over email correspondence led to the development of the recommendations which amalgamate available evidence with the clinical experience of the multidisciplinary expert panel.

RESULTS

Our recommendations are categorized by one period domain - acute post-operative period, and five major domains during the post-operative period - rehabilitation, optimization of bone health, prevention of falls, nutritional supplementation, and prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism. A multidisciplinary approach should be central to the rehabilitation process with the involvement of orthopedists, geriatricians/internists, physiatrists, physical and occupational therapists, endocrinologists, pharmacists and nursing staff. Other key components of our recommendations which we believe contribute to better functional outcomes in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery include comprehensive pre-operative assessments, early surgery, goal setting for recovery and rehabilitation, early mobilization, medication optimization, tailored exercise plans, adequate coverage with analgesia, assessment and appropriate management of osteoporosis with due consideration of the fracture risk, fall prevention plans, and nutritional assessment and support. Patients and their caregivers should be a part of the recovery process at every step, and they should be counseled and educated appropriately, particularly on the importance of adherence to their rehabilitation plan.

CONCLUSION

We have provided guidance on the critical domains of clinical care in the post-operative setting to optimize patient outcomes and prevent fracture recurrence. Our recommendations for post-operative care and rehabilitation of older adults with hip fracture can serve as a framework for hospitals across Thailand.

Chronic kidney disease and polypharmacy as risk factors for recurrent falls in a nursing home population

Background

It is known that nursing home patients who have sustained a previous fall are at a higher average risk for recurrent falls. Therefore, these patients require closer attention and monitoring for fall prevention.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective review in our Level 1 Trauma Center, who sustained a ground-level fall in a nursing home from January 2017 to December 2018. Inclusion criteria involved patients aged 65 or older, admitted from nursing homes. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with recurrent fall.

Results

A total of 445 patients were identified. Among them, 47 (10.6%) patients sustained recurrent falls, The median age was 83.3 years old and. The recurrent fall group was more likely to have chronic kidney disease (CKD) (27.1% vs. 13.1%, p = 0.02) and diabetes (47.9% vs. 31%, p = 0.02). The median number of medications taken by a patient was 8.78. Overall, 176 (39.5%) patients sustained any injury, and 25 (5.6%) patients died within the study period. The presence of CKD (odds ratio [OR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-4.76, p = 0.02) and polypharmacy (number of medications of 9 or above) (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.12-3.82, p = 0.02) were independent risk factors for recurrent falls.

Conclusions

CKD and polypharmacy were associated with a risk of recurrent falls among nursing home patients. The incidence of falls has a multifactorial etiology, and it is important to identify such risk factors to better prevent the morbidities and mortalities associated with fall-related injuries.

Can the loco-check be used as a self-check tool for evaluating fall risk among older subjects? A prospective study

BACKGROUND

Japan has now become a super-aged society. Notably, as the Japanese society ages, the prevalence of falls, which represent an aging-related problem, has increased. Locomotive syndrome (LS) is a condition of decreased mobility due to locomotive organ disorder. The loco-check is simple tool to detect early-stage LS. The loco-check comprises seven items relating to daily activities. Higher numbers of affirmative answers in the loco-check are negatively associated with physical functions. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential correlation between the number of affirmative answers given on the "loco-check" survey and the likelihood of experiencing at least one fall during the following one-year period.

METHODS

This prospective study included 154 cases (35 men, 119 women), all aged 65 years or older, answered the loco-check at baseline. As part of their normal treatment process, the participants made monthly visits to the out-patient department; thus, at each of these visits for the following 12 months a medical doctor interviewed each patient to determine whether they had experienced a fall during the previous month.

RESULTS

The mean age of the sample was 77.3 years, and the median number of affirmative answers given was 2.0. The number of affirmative answers significantly correlated with the cases which had a fall event within the follow-up period. Specifically, an increase in one "yes" answer on the loco-check increased the relative risk of fall (odds ratio: 1.32; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.70). In addition, the risk of fall was high in cases which showed the number of affirmative answers given on the loco-check ≥4 (odds ratio: 9.26; 95% CI: 1.05-81.7).

CONCLUSION

The number of affirmative answers given on the loco-check is positively correlated with a fall event within the following year.

Factors associated with fracture after stroke and TIA: a long-term follow-up

We assessed the long-term incidence of fractures after stroke and TIA and analyzed associated factors. The fracture incidence increases with age and is higher in stroke than in TIA. Dementia is associated with fractures after both. Our results indicate tailored measures are necessary for preventing fractures after stroke or TIA.

INTRODUCTION

In the present study, we aimed to assess the long-term incidence of fractures and analyze associated factors after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

METHODS

The current cohort study included patients who had received an initial ischemic stroke or TIA diagnosis documented anonymously in the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) between 2000 and 2016 by physicians in 1262 general practices in Germany. Univariate Cox and multivariate regression models were carried out.

RESULTS

Three groups (stroke, TIA, no stroke/TIA), each with 12,265 individuals, were selected (mean age 67.3 years, 48.1% female). A fracture was diagnosed in 12.9% of stroke patients and in 11.4% of TIA patients. Among male stroke patients, 11.1% had a fracture (15.4% among female stroke patients). The hazard ratio (HR) for fractures after stroke was 1.26 (CI: 1.15-1.39) and for fractures after TIA, it was 1.14 (CI: 1.03-1.25). In female stroke patients, the HR for fractures was 1.32 (CI: 1.15-1.60), while in males, it was 1.20 (CI: 1.03-1.39). Among TIA patients, females had an elevated HR for fractures (HR: 1.21; CI: 1.06-1.37). In individuals aged ≥ 80 years, an increased risk for fractures was only detected among TIA patients (HR: 1.26; CI: 1.05-1.51). Dementia and non-opioid analgesic therapy were positively associated with fracture after both stroke and TIA.

CONCLUSION

Stroke was positively associated with fracture in patients < 80 years, while TIA was positively associated with fracture in patients ≥ 80 years and females. Dementia and analgesic therapy were also associated with fracture after either stroke or TIA.