| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2022 | Volume
: 18
| Issue : 2 | Page : 58-67 |
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Factors contributing to falls and the effect of a multipronged approach on the incidence of falls in the older person in an outpatient setting in South India
Jini Chirackel Thomas, Surekha Viggeswarpu
Department of Geriatrics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India
Correspondence Address:
Jini Chirackel Thomas
Department of Geriatrics, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/jiag.jiag_13_22
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Background: A fall is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in an older adult. Objectives: The aim of this study was to enumerate the various factors contributing to falls and assess the effect of a multipronged approach on the incidence of falls in older individuals who are at a risk of falls. Methodology: In this prospective interventional trial, we recruited sixty subjects, who presented to the Geriatrics Outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in South India. Using the Stop elderly accidents, deaths, and injuries protocol, we included subjects who presented with a history of fall in the year preceding the study, those with fear of fall and those who felt unsteady while standing or walking. These subjects were subjected to a detailed assessment and an individualized multipronged interventional program was initiated. The subjects were followed up telephonically after 1 and 3 months to assess compliance and the details of incident fall (if any). Results: At baseline, 48.3% had fallen in the year prior to enrolment, of whom 16.7% were recurrent fallers. Various contributory factors for falls were identified - including older age, polypharmacy, sedatives, and anticholinergic drugs. Following a multipronged intervention, 3.6% and 5.3% of the subjects reported falls after 1 and 3 months, respectively. Subjective improvement was reported by 80% and 78.2% of the subjects at 1 and 3 months' follow-up and the compliance with exercises during the follow-up period was good (73%). Conclusion: Identifying the subjects at risk for falls and implementing a tailored approach contributed to a reduction in the incidence of falls.
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