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Anxiety after a fall in elderly subjects and subsequent risk of developing post traumatic stress disorder at two
F Bloch1, M Blandin, R Ranerison
1Dr F. Bloch, Hôpital Broca, 54/56 rue Pascal, 75013 Paris, France. Phone / Fax: +331 44 08 35 21 / +331 44 08 35 25,
Background:
The psychological burden suffered by elderly subjects after a fall adds to rehabilitation difficulties. We hypothesised that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) may be at the root of these psychological post-fall problems. The immediate psychological state was examined after 2 months post-fall in order to determine the prevalence of anxiety and PTSD and their possible correlates.
Method:
A single centre prospective survey including elderly subjects referred to an emergency department (ED) after a fall with a 2-month follow-up.
Results:
30.5% of patients showed a significant level of anxiety after their fall and (26%) showed evidence supporting the presence of PTSD at 2-months. Immediate anxiety, ability to re-establish upright posture and a history of repeated falls were significant predictors of PTSD at 2-months.
Conclusion:
persistent psychological problems post fall may be related to PTSD which is significantly correlated to immediate anxiety. This study can be seen as a first step in patient characterisation, and predicts who may benefit from which of the various approaches of rehabilitation.
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