New Guideline Urges Screening for Fall Risk

February 6, 2008

urges-screening-for-fall-risk.htm

Certain people are at high risk for accidental falls and should be

regularly screened to help reduce the high number of fall-related

injuries and deaths in the United States, a new guideline says.

Each year in the United States, accidental falls result in 1.8

million emergency room visits and more than 16,000 deaths.

The new guideline, issued by the American Academy of Neurology, take

into account all available scientific studies and concluded that

people with stroke, dementia, and walking and balance disorders have

the greatest risk of falling. Having fallen in the past year strongly

predicts that a person will suffer another fall, and people with

Parkinson's disease, peripheral neuropathy, weakness in the legs or

feet, and substantial vision loss are also at increased risk for

falls.

The new guideline recommends doctors routinely ask patients about

falls and use screening measures and mobility tests to assess whether

a person is a risk of falling and needs prevention measures, such as

starting a regular exercise program or eliminating fall hazards from

their home.

The new guideline is published in the Feb. 5 issue of Neurology.

" There is a lack of awareness among doctors and patients in

recognizing and preventing falls, which can lead to hip fractures,

head injury, hospitalization and in some cases death, " guideline lead

author Dr. J. Thurman, of the National Center for Chronic

Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, said in a prepared statement.

" People need to know that falls are preventable, and there are simple

tests to determine if you're at risk of falling, " Thurman

said. " Oftentimes the doctor may not ask about falls, and the patient

may not mention falls. But, it's important to discuss falls, since

some people can face serious life consequences after falling, such as

disability and loss of independence, which may be averted only

through fall prevention. "

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has more information

about falls.

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