Falls Flashcards
1
Q
what is the cause of falls in the elderly
A
multifactorial
2
Q
list risk factors for falls
A
female age >80 peripheral neuropathy muscle weakness - sarcopaenia poor gait polypharmacy any psychotropic medications previous fall visual impairment cognitive impairment urinary frequency, UTI constipation acute illness / infection anaemia Neuro - PD, MS, MND, stroke, peripheral neuropathy, seizures, cervical myelopathy diabetes, thyroid
3
Q
list complications of falls
A
fractures dehydration pressure sores AKI - rhabdomyolysis delirium malnutrition pneumonia hypothermia VTE
4
Q
what body systems can cause falls
A
pretty much all of them (except obstetrics!)
5
Q
list CVS causes of falls
A
postural hypotension syncope / vasovagal carotid sinus hypersensitivity arrhythmias valvular disease
6
Q
list causes of postural hypotension
A
medications anaemia dehydration sepsis alcohol carotid sinus disease autonomic failure - PD, DM adrenal insufficiency
7
Q
list drug causes of postural hypotension
A
nitrates ACEI diuretics levodopa anticholinergics antiplatelets SSRIs
8
Q
list neurological causes of falls
A
cervical myelopathy lumbar stenosis peripheral neuropathy stroke MS MND Parkinsons delirium
9
Q
List MSK causes of falls
A
arthritis imbalance / poor gait post stroke myopathy sarcopaenia
10
Q
list visual causes of falls
A
ARMD
cataracts
11
Q
list vestibular causes of falls
A
BPPV, menieres, labyrinthitis
12
Q
list extrinsic causes of falls
A
alcohol
footwear
environmental
living alone
13
Q
list drug causes of falls (ie not those that cause postural hypotension)
A
benzodiazepines opiates antipsychotics antiarrhythmics codeine anticonvulsants
14
Q
list examinations and investigations for falls
A
CVS - murmurs, bruits hydration status LSBP ECG, ECHO Neuro exam MSK exam Visual assessment Vestibular assessment cognitive exam footwear assessment
15
Q
list investigations for falls
A
FBC, U+E, LFT, TFT, bone group, B12, glucose drug review Get up and go test FRAX + DEXA Imaging
