Aim To investigate the epidemiology of unintentional fall-related injuries at home among young and middle-aged adults (25 to 59 years) and to investigate the contribution of alcohol to these injuries. Methods Routinely collected national fall injury data were analysed to describe the incidence and characteristics of falls at home resulting in death or hospital inpatient treatment among this age group in New Zealand. A systematic review of the published literature evaluated the epidemiological evidence quantifying the risk of falls associated with acute and usual alcohol consumption in this age group. A population-based case-control study was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand over a 12-month period. Cases were 335 people aged 25 to 59 years who were admitted to hospital or died as a result of unintentional non-occupational falls at home. Controls were 352 people randomly selected from the electoral roll from the same age group as the cases. The participants or next-of-kin completed a structured interview to ascertain data on personal and lifestyle factors including alcohol consumption. Findings The review of national injury data found that almost a third of unintentional falls resulting in an in-patient admission among working-age people were recorded as occurring at home. For every death there were about 150 in-patient hospital admissions. The systematic review identified only a small number of studies but showed an increased risk of unintentional falls in this age group with increasing exposure to alcohol use. The magnitude of this risk varied considerably across studies with most estimates being relatively imprecise. There was modest evidence of a dose-response relationship with acute alcohol use. The association between usual alcohol use and fall risk was inconclusive. The case-control study revealed that after controlling for confounding, the consumption of two or more standard alcoholic drinks in the preceding six hours relative to none is associated with a significantly increased risk of fall-related injury. Approximately 21% of unintentional non-occupational falls at home in this population was attributed to this risk. No association between hazardous drinking as a usual pattern and falls was found when the analyses were adjusted for confounders. Conclusion A significant proportion of unintentional fall-related injuries among the working-aged New Zealanders occur at home. Consuming two or more drinks in the previous six hours was strongly associated with unintentional non-occupational falls at home that result in admission to hospital or death in this age group. This largely unrecognised problem should be addressed in further research and in falls prevention programmes.

Aim To investigate the epidemiology of unintentional fall-related injuries at home among young and middle-aged adults (25 to 59 years) and to investigate the contribution of alcohol to these injuries. Methods Routinely collected national fall injury data were analysed to describe the incidence and characteristics of falls at home resulting in death or hospital inpatient treatment among this age group in New Zealand. A systematic review of the published literature evaluated the epidemiological evidence quantifying the risk of falls associated with acute and usual alcohol consumption in this age group. A population-based case-control study was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand over a 12-month period. Cases were 335 people aged 25 to 59 years who were admitted to hospital or died as a result of unintentional non-occupational falls at home. Controls were 352 people randomly selected from the electoral roll from the same age group as the cases. The participants or next-of-kin completed a structured interview to ascertain data on personal and lifestyle factors including alcohol consumption. Findings The review of national injury data found that almost a third of unintentional falls resulting in an in-patient admission among working-age people were recorded as occurring at home. For every death there were about 150 in-patient hospital admissions. The systematic review identified only a small number of studies but showed an increased risk of unintentional falls in this age group with increasing exposure to alcohol use. The magnitude of this risk varied considerably across studies with most estimates being relatively imprecise. There was modest evidence of a dose-response relationship with acute alcohol use. The association between usual alcohol use and fall risk was inconclusive. The case-control study revealed that after controlling for confounding, the consumption of two or more standard alcoholic drinks in the preceding six hours relative to none is associated with a significantly increased risk of fall-related injury. Approximately 21% of unintentional non-occupational falls at home in this population was attributed to this risk. No association between hazardous drinking as a usual pattern and falls was found when the analyses were adjusted for confounders. Conclusion A significant proportion of unintentional fall-related injuries among the working-aged New Zealanders occur at home. Consuming two or more drinks in the previous six hours was strongly associated with unintentional non-occupational falls at home that result in admission to hospital or death in this age group. This largely unrecognised problem should be addressed in further research and in falls prevention programmes.

Aim To investigate the epidemiology of unintentional fall-related injuries at home among young and middle-aged adults (25 to 59 years) and to investigate the contribution of alcohol to these injuries. Methods Routinely collected national fall injury data were analysed to describe the incidence and characteristics of falls at home resulting in death or hospital inpatient treatment among this age group in New Zealand. A systematic review of the published literature evaluated the epidemiological evidence quantifying the risk of falls associated with acute and usual alcohol consumption in this age group. A population-based case-control study was conducted in Auckland, New Zealand over a 12-month period. Cases were 335 people aged 25 to 59 years who were admitted to hospital or died as a result of unintentional non-occupational falls at home. Controls were 352 people randomly selected from the electoral roll from the same age group as the cases. The participants or next-of-kin completed a structured interview to ascertain data on personal and lifestyle factors including alcohol consumption. Findings The review of national injury data found that almost a third of unintentional falls resulting in an in-patient admission among working-age people were recorded as occurring at home. For every death there were about 150 in-patient hospital admissions. The systematic review identified only a small number of studies but showed an increased risk of unintentional falls in this age group with increasing exposure to alcohol use. The magnitude of this risk varied considerably across studies with most estimates being relatively imprecise. There was modest evidence of a dose-response relationship with acute alcohol use. The association between usual alcohol use and fall risk was inconclusive. The case-control study revealed that after controlling for confounding, the consumption of two or more standard alcoholic drinks in the preceding six hours relative to none is associated with a significantly increased risk of fall-related injury. Approximately 21% of unintentional non-occupational falls at home in this population was attributed to this risk. No association between hazardous drinking as a usual pattern and falls was found when the analyses were adjusted for confounders. Conclusion A significant proportion of unintentional fall-related injuries among the working-aged New Zealanders occur at home. Consuming two or more drinks in the previous six hours was strongly associated with unintentional non-occupational falls at home that result in admission to hospital or death in this age group. This largely unrecognised problem should be addressed in further research and in falls prevention programmes.

Falls are a relatively frequent occurrence amongst older people. Rates of falls amongst patients in subacute care are substantially higher than amongst people living in the community. Falls have been reported to cause physical and psychological injury, increase the likelihood of being discharged to nursing home, and are associated with longer lengths of stay in hospital. Thus, minimisation of falls in the subacute hospital setting is of high public health importance. (For complete abstract open document)

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1986.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A ocorrÃncia de quedas constitui sÃrio problema de saÃde em idade mais avanÃada. Dessa forma, os fatores envolvidos devem ser continuamente avaliados com vistas à melhoria da qualidade de vida do idoso. Teve-se como objetivo investigar as circunstÃncias de ocorrÃncia das quedas nos Ãltimos seis meses em idosos com e sem AVE, assim como os fatores intrÃnsecos e extrÃnsecos a eles relacionados. Estudo do tipo caso-controle, realizado em trÃs AssociaÃÃes Beneficentes Cearenses de ReabilitaÃÃo e um Centro de ReferÃncia da AssistÃncia Social na cidade de Fortaleza no perÃodo de janeiro a abril de 2010. Estabeleceram-se um grupo caso e trÃs grupos controles, cada um com quinze idosos, pareados por idade e sexo, com base na ocorrÃncia ou nÃo de quedas nos Ãltimos seis meses e de acidente vascular encefÃlico. Utilizou-se um formulÃrio organizado em quatro partes para a caracterizaÃÃo do paciente, condiÃÃes intrÃnsecas e extrÃnsecas atuais, ocorrÃncia de quedas e fatores ambientais envolvidos. Com a aprovaÃÃo por Comità de Ãtica em Pesquisa, a coleta de dados ocorreu no dia em que o idoso se encontrava na unidade, apÃs esclarecimento dos objetivos e assinatura do Termo de Consentimento Livre e Esclarecido. Os dados obtidos foram analisados pelo Predictive Analysis Software 18.0. Em sua maioria, os grupos foram formados por mulheres, aposentados, com companheiro, baixa renda per capita e escolaridade. Os idosos tiveram uma mÃdia de 1,4 AVE, em um tempo mÃdio de 5,6 anos e hemiparesia como principal sequela. Quanto Ãs variÃveis com associaÃÃo estatÃstica, destacaram-se: Uso de anti-hipertensivos entre os grupos que sofreram quedas independente de ocorrÃncia de AVE; Uso de inibidores da ECA no caso de idosos com AVE com ou sem quedas; AlteraÃÃes nos pÃs entre o grupo caso e indivÃduos sem queda e sem AVE. Com relaÃÃo Ãs variÃveis ForÃa diminuÃda em membros inferiores, Excesso de mÃveis em casa, Dificuldade na marcha e Mobilidade fÃsica prejudicada, encontrou-se associaÃÃo em todos os casos entre o grupo de indivÃduos com AVE e quedas e aqueles sem AVE e sem quedas. Dificuldade na marcha e Mobilidade fÃsica prejudicada tambÃm estiveram estatisticamente associadas entre o grupo caso e indivÃduos sem AVE e com relato de quedas. As variÃveis Ãndice de Barthel, Atividades Instrumentais de Vida DiÃria, Escala GeriÃtrica e de Tinetti, alÃm de ForÃa de preensÃo palmar direita tambÃm apresentaram associaÃÃo estatÃstica entre o grupo caso de indivÃduos com AVE e quedas e aqueles sem AVE, com ou sem quedas. As quedas aconteceram predominantemente no perÃodo da manhÃ, em ambiente iluminado, sem corrimÃo ou objetos, com piso Ãspero e seco, uso de chinelo com solado de borracha. NÃo se constatou ser o AVE um evento associado Ãs quedas, fortalecendo a relaÃÃo causal multifatorial. As variÃveis envolvidas com o evento queda estiveram fortemente relacionadas aos fatores intrÃnsecos envolvidos com o equilÃbrio. Os fatores extrÃnsecos, contudo, podem ser os mais facilmente modificÃveis. Nesse Ãmbito, os profissionais de saÃde devem avaliar rotineiramente todas as variÃveis envolvidas com o evento queda, no intuito de melhorar a qualidade de vida desses indivÃduos. / The falls occurrence represents a serious health problem for aged. Therefore the factors involved must be continuous assess in order to improve the aged life quality. The aim was to investigate the falls occurrence in the last six months at elderly with and without stroke and to identify the intrinsic and extrinsic factors involved. A case-control study carried at three Beneficent Associations of Rehabilitation from Cearà and a Reference Center of Social Worker in Fortaleza city from January to April 2010. A case group and three control groups were established with 15 elderly paired off by sex, age, falls occurrence in the last six months and stroke occurrence. It was used a form organized in four parts with the objective to characterize the patient, actual intrinsic and extrinsic conditions, falls occurrence and environment factors involved. The data were gathered with the Research Ethical Committee approval and when the elderly were enlightened at the collected data unit about the aim of the research, and the patient signing of authorization term. The data obtained was analyzed by Predictive Analysis Software 18.0. The groups were mainly composed by women, retired people, persons with partners, low school grade and low financial income. The elderly with stroke presented an average of 1,4 occurrence in an average period of 5,6 years and the main consequence was hemiparesis. As far as statistical associated variables concern, the followings were here highlighted: Use of antihypertensive among the groups with falls despite the occurrence of a stroke; Use of ACE inhibitor at aged with stroke whom were fallers or not; Foot alterations between the case group and people without falls neither stroke. Besides the variables Decreased strength at lower members, excess of home furniture, Gait difficulty and Impaired physical mobility was found in all association among the fallers participants with stroke and those without stroke neither falls. Gait difficulty and Impaired physical mobility were statistically associated between the case group and people without stroke and fall occurrence. The Barthel index, daily instrumental life activities, Geriatric scale and Tinetti scale, besides right hand grip strength, also found statistical association between the case group and aged without stroke fallers or not. The falls occurred mostly in the morning, in bright environment without handrail or objects, in rough and dry floor, use of rubber slippers. It was not verified to be the stroke an event associated to falls, a fact that strengthens the multifarious cause relation. The variables involved with fall event were strongly related to intrinsic factors involved with the balance issue. The extrinsic factors, however, could be easily modified. Therefore health professionals should routinely assess all fall variables involved in order to improve the life quality of elderly people.

Class of 2012 Abstract / Specific Aims: The purpose of this study was to test an interactive educational program for older adults on preventing accidental falls. Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study evaluating the helpfulness of an interactive educational program. English speaking residents were recruited from five independent senior living communities in Arizona. The intervention consisted of a 30-minute interactive PowerPoint presentation followed by a 10-minute question and answer session. Information provided during the presentation focused on information from the CDC and the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence. Participants completed an anonymous questionnaire to rate the helpfulness of the program. The primary dependent variable was overall helpfulness of the educational session. Other variables included: intention of changing future behavior related to preventing falls, whether participants would recommend the program to others, participant perception of gained knowledge, change in fear of falling, and interest in meeting with pharmacist to discuss medications. Categorical data was analyzed by calculating frequencies and percentages and continuous data by calculating means and SDs. A t-test for independent groups was used to compare men and women. Main Results: A total of 93 individuals attended the presentations. Out of 81 completed surveys, 5 did not indicate gender, 7 additional did not indicate age, and 6 were over 89 years of age. Demographic data for the men and women was similar. 90% of participants indicated that the program was either "very helpful" or "moderately helpful". 92% of participants responded “absolutely yes” or “likely” that they would recommend the program. No participants strongly disagreed that they had a better understanding of fall risks or medications that increase fall risk. 87% of participants responded “absolutely yes” or “likely” that they plan to increase daily exercise . 42% of participants said it was “not likely” that they plan to make changes in their living environment. Conclusions: An interactive educational program on fall safety and prevention is helpful for older adults. As one of the most widely accessible health care providers, pharmacists and pharmacy students are well suited to provide patient education and improve outcomes. The results of this study provide preliminary data supporting the usefulness of a patient education program on fall safety prevention administered by pharmacy students.