Lim K D, Ng K C, Ng S K, Ng L L
Department of Adult Psychiatry, Woodbridge Hospital/Institute of Mental Health, Singapore.
Singapore Med J. 2001 Oct;42(10):466-72.
Falls are common among the elderly patients in the psycho-geriatric wards and yet they have been understudied. A fall is a multi-factorial syndrome involving the patient and the environment. Psycho-geriatric patients who fall may suffer serious physical injuries that result in morbidity, further institutionalisation or even mortality. This study aims to examine the contributing factors to, and morbidity and outcome of falls among institutionalised psycho-geriatric patients so that preventive strategies can be refined. Data of patients who fell over a year's period in four psycho-geriatric wards were collected retrospectively and compared with those who had not fallen within the same period. The general profile of the psycho-geriatric patient who falls is one who is: above seventy-five years old; on three or more medications; and having recent changes in medication and mental status. About one in three fallers fell repeatedly. The rate of serious injury and mortality was low. In conclusion, while many factors are attributable to the common effects of aging and physical illnesses; psychotropic medication, change in mental state and specific environmental factors also play significant contributory roles to falls in this group of patients.
跌倒在老年精神科病房的老年患者中很常见，但对其研究不足。跌倒是一种涉及患者和环境的多因素综合征。跌倒的老年精神科患者可能会遭受严重身体伤害，导致发病、进一步住院甚至死亡。本研究旨在探讨机构化老年精神科患者跌倒的促成因素、发病率及后果，以便完善预防策略。回顾性收集了四个老年精神科病房一年内跌倒患者的数据，并与同期未跌倒的患者进行比较。跌倒的老年精神科患者的一般特征是：75岁以上；服用三种或更多药物；近期药物和精神状态有变化。约三分之一的跌倒者会反复跌倒。严重伤害和死亡率较低。总之，虽然许多因素可归因于衰老和身体疾病的共同影响，但精神药物、精神状态变化和特定环境因素在这类患者跌倒中也起着重要的促成作用。
