Abstract
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at providing a comprehensive and quantitative review of risk factors for falls in older people in nursing homes and hospitals. Using MEDLINE, we searched for prospective studies investigating risk factors for falls in nursing home residents (NHR) and older hospital inpatients (HI). When there were at least 3 studies investigating a factor in a comparable way in a specific setting, we computed the pooled odds ratio (OR) using random effect models. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Eighteen risk factors for NHR and six for HI were considered, including socio-demographic, mobility, sensory, medical factors, and medication use. For NHR, the strongest associations were with history of falls (OR = 3.06), walking aid use (OR = 2.08) and moderate disability (OR = 2.08). For HI, the strongest association was found for history of falls (OR = 2.85). No association emerged with age in NHR (OR = 1.00), while the OR for a 5. years increase in age of HI was 1.04. Female sex was, if anything, associated with a decreased risk. A few other medical conditions and medications were also associated with a moderately increased risk. For some important factors (e.g. balance and muscle weakness), a summary estimate was not computed because the measures used in various studies were not comparable. Falls in older people in nursing homes and hospitals have multifactorial etiology. History of falls, use of walking aids and disability are strong predictors of future falls.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 407-415 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics |
| Volume | 56 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2013 |
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Keywords
- Accidental falls
- Aged
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Risk factors
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ageing
- Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Health(social science)
- Gerontology
Cite this
Risk factors for falls in older people in nursing homes and hospitals. A systematic review and meta-analysis. / Deandrea, Silvia; Bravi, Francesca; Turati, Federica; Lucenteforte, Ersilia; La Vecchia, Carlo; Negri, Eva.
In: Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Vol. 56, No. 3, 05.2013, p. 407-415.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Risk factors for falls in older people in nursing homes and hospitals. A systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Deandrea, Silvia
AU - Bravi, Francesca
AU - Turati, Federica
AU - Lucenteforte, Ersilia
AU - La Vecchia, Carlo
AU - Negri, Eva
PY - 2013/5
Y1 - 2013/5
N2 - This is a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at providing a comprehensive and quantitative review of risk factors for falls in older people in nursing homes and hospitals. Using MEDLINE, we searched for prospective studies investigating risk factors for falls in nursing home residents (NHR) and older hospital inpatients (HI). When there were at least 3 studies investigating a factor in a comparable way in a specific setting, we computed the pooled odds ratio (OR) using random effect models. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Eighteen risk factors for NHR and six for HI were considered, including socio-demographic, mobility, sensory, medical factors, and medication use. For NHR, the strongest associations were with history of falls (OR = 3.06), walking aid use (OR = 2.08) and moderate disability (OR = 2.08). For HI, the strongest association was found for history of falls (OR = 2.85). No association emerged with age in NHR (OR = 1.00), while the OR for a 5. years increase in age of HI was 1.04. Female sex was, if anything, associated with a decreased risk. A few other medical conditions and medications were also associated with a moderately increased risk. For some important factors (e.g. balance and muscle weakness), a summary estimate was not computed because the measures used in various studies were not comparable. Falls in older people in nursing homes and hospitals have multifactorial etiology. History of falls, use of walking aids and disability are strong predictors of future falls.
AB - This is a systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at providing a comprehensive and quantitative review of risk factors for falls in older people in nursing homes and hospitals. Using MEDLINE, we searched for prospective studies investigating risk factors for falls in nursing home residents (NHR) and older hospital inpatients (HI). When there were at least 3 studies investigating a factor in a comparable way in a specific setting, we computed the pooled odds ratio (OR) using random effect models. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria. Eighteen risk factors for NHR and six for HI were considered, including socio-demographic, mobility, sensory, medical factors, and medication use. For NHR, the strongest associations were with history of falls (OR = 3.06), walking aid use (OR = 2.08) and moderate disability (OR = 2.08). For HI, the strongest association was found for history of falls (OR = 2.85). No association emerged with age in NHR (OR = 1.00), while the OR for a 5. years increase in age of HI was 1.04. Female sex was, if anything, associated with a decreased risk. A few other medical conditions and medications were also associated with a moderately increased risk. For some important factors (e.g. balance and muscle weakness), a summary estimate was not computed because the measures used in various studies were not comparable. Falls in older people in nursing homes and hospitals have multifactorial etiology. History of falls, use of walking aids and disability are strong predictors of future falls.
KW - Accidental falls
KW - Aged
KW - Hospitals
KW - Nursing homes
KW - Risk factors
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84873451992&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.archger.2012.12.006
DO - 10.1016/j.archger.2012.12.006
M3 - Article
C2 - 23294998
AN - SCOPUS:84873451992
VL - 56
SP - 407
EP - 415
JO - Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
JF - Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
SN - 0167-4943
IS - 3
ER -