PREVALENCE, ETIOLOGY AND RISK FACTORS FOR FALLS IN NEUROLOGICAL PATIENTS ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN TURKEY

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of falls, their etiology and risk factors in neurological patients admitted to the hospital in northern Turkey. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was used. Data were collected by survey that identified socio-demographic and clinical features of the subjects, Hendrich II fall risk model and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). Study results revealed approximately one-third of the study patients (33.1%) to have sustained falls before. Concerning the timing of falls, 24.9% of these incidents had occurred within the last year. The most common reason for falling was dizziness (14.3%). The mean score on the Hendrich II fall risk model was 2.7±0.1 for those who had fallen and 2.3±0.1 for those who had not fallen. The respective mean BBS score was 20.7±1.9 and 18.4±1.3. It was found that approximately one-third of neurological patients had fallen before and had restricted their activities due to fear of falls; the great majority of them had a chronic disease and permanently used medicines; and the most important risk factors for falls were advanced age, fear of falls and impaired balance.