Rao Shobha S
Department of Family Practice and Community Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas 75390-9067, USA.
Am Fam Physician. 2005 Jul 1;72(1):81-8.
Falls are one of the most common geriatric syndromes threatening the independence of older persons. Between 30 and 40 percent of community-dwelling adults older than 65 years fall each year, and the rates are higher for nursing home residents. Falls are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and nursing home placement. Most falls have multiple causes. Risk factors for falls include muscle weakness, a history of falls, use of four or more prescription medications, use of an assistive device, arthritis, depression, age older than 80 years, and impairments in gait, balance, cognition, vision, and activities of daily living. Physicians caring for older patients should ask about any falls that have occurred in the past year. Assessment should include evaluating the circumstances of the fall and a complete history and physical examination, looking for potential risk factors. The most effective fall prevention strategies are multifactorial interventions targeting identified risk factors, exercises for muscle strengthening combined with balance training, and withdrawal of psychotropic medication. Home hazard assessment and modification by a health professional also is helpful.
跌倒 是威胁老年人独立性的最常见老年综合征之一。每年，65岁以上居住在社区的成年人中有30%至40%会跌倒，而养老院居民的跌倒率更高。跌倒与发病率、死亡率上升以及入住养老院有关。大多数跌倒有多种原因。跌倒的风险因素包括肌肉无力、跌倒史、使用四种或更多处方药物、使用辅助设备、关节炎、抑郁症、80岁以上高龄以及步态、平衡、认知、视力和日常生活活动受损。照顾老年患者的医生应询问过去一年中发生的任何跌倒情况。评估应包括评估跌倒的情况以及完整的病史和体格检查，寻找潜在的风险因素。最有效的预防跌倒策略是针对已确定风险因素的多因素干预、结合平衡训练的肌肉强化锻炼以及停用精神药物。由健康专业人员进行家庭危险评估和改造也很有帮助。
