Fall risk in older adults hospitalized with tumours: Contributing factors and prediction model

Nurs Open. 2023 Oct;10(10):7084-7091. doi: 10.1002/nop2.1969. Epub 2023 Aug 16.

Abstract

Aim: Rates vary widely across hospitals globally and typically range from 3 to 11 falls per 1000 bed days and as 7-11 in Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University. This study determined to explore contributing factors and poor prognosis of fall in elderly tumour patients in China.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Methods: 161 older adults were invited to participate in this study and completed a self-reported questionnaire, took blood tests, and received the exam of musculoskeletal ultrasound.

Results: Among 161 patients, falls occurred in 41 cases, accounting for 24.8%. 51.6% of older adults suffered from intermediate-to-high risk of falls. Fall history, reduced self-care ability, sleep disturbance, hearing impairment, hyperkyphosis, chronic disease, platelet count, and the thickness of left muscle rectus femoris (LF-MLT), and left cross-sectional area (LF-CSA) were all contributing factors of fall, and higher risk of fall indicating lower quality of life. A fall prediction model was established in this study based on above contributing factors with good prediction efficiency (AUC = 0.920).

Patient or public contribution: The patient volunteers participated in this study and provided valuable data for the final analysis and the acquisition of conclusion.

Keywords: cancer; elderly; fall; inpatients; nurse; prediction model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms*
  • Quadriceps Muscle
  • Quality of Life*