[Assessing the risk of falls for the elderly in Basic Health Units].

Related Articles

[Assessing the risk of falls for the elderly in Basic Health Units].

Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2012 Apr;46(2):320-7

Authors: de Pinho TA, Silva AO, Tura LF, Moreira MA, Gurgel SN, Smith Ade A, Bezerra VP

Abstract
The world population is aging rapidly, which poses a greater challenge for the institutions involved which, in turn, require new public health policies that include the prevention of falls. The objective of this study was to assess the risk of falls in the elderly. This epidemiological, cross-sectional study was performed at a family health unit, using a quantitative approach. The sample consisted of 150 elderly individuals evaluated from January to April 2009. Data were collected using the Fall Risk Score, which was analyzed using SPSS 17.0. Of all seniors evaluated, 58.8% did not suffer falls. However, 63 seniors did suffer falls, 71.4% of this total experienced 1 to 2 falls, and the main intrinsic cause they reported was dizziness/vertigo, whereas the extrinsic cause was wet or slippery floors. Therefore, it is concluded that it is important to assess the risk of falls among the elderly so that preventive measures can be taken, with a view to maximizing their quality of life.

PMID: 22576534 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

from Hearing and Balance via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1r9E33p
via IFTTT

[Epidemiological characteristic of the patients presenting with cochleovestibular disorders associated with labyrinthine hydrops].

Related Articles

[Epidemiological characteristic of the patients presenting with cochleovestibular disorders associated with labyrinthine hydrops].

Vestn Otorinolaringol. 2011;(4):40-2

Authors: Levina IuV, Kunel'skaia NL, Krasiuk AA, Baush IaA

Abstract
A total of 1,067 patients complaining of hearing impairment, dizziness, and tympanophony were admitted for the treatment to the Surdological Department of N.I. Pirogov City Clinical Hospital No 1 during the period from 2000 to 2010. As many as 326 (30.5%) patients were preliminarily diagnosed with Meniere's disease based on their medical histories, clinical condition, and the results of questionnaire studies. All of them were subjected to comprehensive audiologic and vestibulogic examination with the use of up-to-date techniques. The data thus obtained allowed to reveal labyrinthine hydrops in 275 (84%) patients. It is concluded that 101 (9.5%) patients presenting with the typical symptoms of Meniere's disease had labyrinthine hydrops.

PMID: 21983667 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

from Hearing and Balance via ola Kala on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1r9E2wy
via IFTTT