Risk factors and characteristics of falls during inpatient rehabilitation of elderly patients

The present study investigated the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors predictive of falls in different patient populations hospitalized in a geriatric rehabilitation hospital. Overall 84 fallers and 84 control patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were analyzed into three subgroups: patients hospitalized for stroke rehabilitation, hip surgery rehabilitation, and other rehabilitation patients. All patients were evaluated for their predisposing and situational risk factors for the fall. Each group of fallers was analyzed in relation to the control group. Every group was also analyzed in relation to the other groups. Risk-taking activity and using wheelchairs were common risk factor among patients hospitalized for stroke rehabilitation or hip surgery rehabilitation. Vertigo and antihypertensive drugs intake were significant predictors of falling among all fallers in the hospital. Among Stroke patients' vertigo was a significant predictor of failing. Anti-depressant drug intake was the only weakly significant predictor of falling among deconditioned patients. Patient's falls in a geriatric rehabilitation setting tend to demonstrate patterns that may be used to focus prevention strategies. We found that risk factors for falls differ between different groups of rehabilitation patients, and that the selection of type of patients may affect which combination of risk factors is identified. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.