Falls and Hip Fractures
Risk Factors for Falls and Fractures
Medical Risk Factors
- Osteoporosis
- Parkinson's
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Arthritis
- Gait deficit
- Balance deficit
- Psychotropic medication use
- Depression
- Cognitive impairment
- Personal history of fracture / falls
- Family history of osteoporosis
- Dementia / poor health / frailty
- Poor vision
- Use of oral glucocorticoids for > 3 months
(Campbell AJ, 2006; Kessel B, 2004).
Demographic Risk Factors
- Female gender
- Older age
- Caucasian
- Low body weight and body mass index
- Low calcium intake
- Smoking / excessive alcohol intake
- Low level of physical activity
- Use of assistive devices
- Impaired activities of daily living
(Campbell AJ, 2006; Fuller GF, 2000; Kessel B, 2004; Tinetti ME, 2003).
Common Risk Factors
| Risk factor | Mean RR or OR* |
|---|---|
| Muscle weakness | 4.4 |
| History of falls | 3.0 |
| Gait deficit | 2.9 |
| Balance deficit | 2.9 |
| Use assistive device | 2.6 |
| Visual deficit | 1.5 |
| Arthritis | 2.4 |
| Impaired ADL | 2.3 |
| Depression | 2.2 |
| Cognitive impairment | 1.8 |
| Age > 80 years | 1.7 |
| Source: Guideline for the prevention of falls in older persons. JAGS 2001;49:664-672. *RR for prospective studies; OR for retrospective studies. | |
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University of Missouri-Columbia
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Last Update: July 22 2008
DMCA and other copyright information.
An equal opportunity/ADA institution.
All rights reserved. Disclaimer and Terms of Use
Last Update: July 22 2008