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Characteristics associated with falls in patients with dementia in a psychogeriatric ward

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An Erratum to this article was published on 01 December 2007

Abstract

Background and aims: Few studies have reported fall-risk factors for persons with dementia, and no successful randomized fall prevention studies have been published. The aim of this study was to identify characteristics associated with falls in patients with dementia in a psychogeriatric ward. Methods: This prospective study comprised 204 patients with any diagnosis of dementia. It was carried out in a psychogeriatric ward specializing in the assessment and treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms in patients with dementia (BPSD). Baseline patient data were collected from medical records, and covered physical, behavioral and cognitive areas. Falls were recorded during time spent in the ward and median follow-up time was 52.5 days. Results: Eighty-two patients fell a total of 251 times. Factors significantly and independently associated with an increased risk of falling were male sex (IRR 3.36, 95% CI 2.02–5.61), failed “copy design” activity (decreased visual perception) (IRR 2.37, 95% CI 1.24–4.52), and any walking difficulty on level ground (IRR 1.84, 95% CI 1.10–3.08). Statins were associated with a decreased risk of falling (IRR 0.29, 95% CI 0.10–0.86). Twenty-seven percent of the variation in falls was explained. Conclusions: Male sex, decreased visual perception, and walking difficulties were all associated with an increased number of falls, and the model explained 1/4 of the variation in falls. Well-planned furnishing and use of color to achieve a plain, clearly defined environment, as well as training in walking ability, may decrease the risk of falling in people with dementia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Sweden

    Staffan Eriksson MSc, PT (Physiotherapy) & Yngve Gustafson

  2. Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

    Staffan Eriksson MSc, PT (Physiotherapy)

Authors
  1. Staffan Eriksson MSc, PT
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  2. Yngve Gustafson
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  3. Lillemor Lundin-Olsson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Staffan Eriksson MSc, PT.

Additional information

Parts of this manuscript were presented as a poster at the Twelfth Congress of the International Psychogeriatric Association in Stockholm, Sweden, in September 2005

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF03324739.

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Eriksson, S., Gustafson, Y. & Lundin-Olsson, L. Characteristics associated with falls in patients with dementia in a psychogeriatric ward. Aging Clin Exp Res 19, 97–103 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03324674

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