@article{ref1,
title="Geriatric fall-related injuries",
journal="African health sciences",
year="2016",
author="Hefny, Ashraf F. and Abbas, Alaa K. and Abu-Zidan, Fikri M.",
volume="16",
number="2",
pages="554-559",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Falls are the leading cause of geriatric injury. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: We aimed to study the anatomical distribution, severity, and outcome of geriatric fall-related injuries in order to give recommendations regarding their prevention. <br><br>METHODS: All injured patients with an age ≥ 60 years who were admitted to Al-Ain Hospital or died in the Emergency Department due to falls were prospectively studied over a four year period. <br><br>RESULTS: We studied 92 patients. Fifty six of them (60.9%) were females. The mean (standard deviation) of age was 72.2 (9.6) years. Seventy three (89%) of all incidents occurred at home. Eighty three patients (90.2%) fell on the same level. The median (range) ISS was 4 (1-16) and the median GCS (range) was 15 (12-15). The lower limb was the most common injured body region (63%). There were no statistical significant differences between males and females regarding age, ISS, and hospital stay (p = 0.85, p = 0.57, and p = 0.35 respectively). <br><br>CONCLUSION: The majority of geriatric fall-related injuries were due to fall from the same level at home. Assessment of risk factors for falls including home hazards is essential for prevention of geriatric fall-related injuries.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1680-6905",
doi="10.4314/ahs.v16i2.24",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v16i2.24"
}