From First Slip to Second Setback: Intracranial Injury Risk after Recurrent Falls in Older Adults: A Retrospective...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Neurology

Background:

• Recurrent falls in older adults are a significant public health issue, often leading to severe injuries like Intracranial Injuries (ICIs).
• ICIs can cause cognitive decline, disability, and premature death.
• Certain medications, including antihypertensives and antidepressants, may increase the risk of fall-related injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between recurrent falls and the risk of Intracranial Injuries (ICIs) in older adults.
• To identify demographic and medication-related factors that predict ICI risk in this population.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective cohort study involving 3760 adults aged 65-89 years at VCUHS in 2023.
• Patients were divided into initial fall (n=2710) and recurrent fall (n=1050) cohorts.
• Cox regression models analyzed demographic variables, medication use, and ICI outcomes.

Main Results:

• Recurrent falls were associated with a 10.4% higher risk of ICIs (HR=1.104, p=0.0493).
• Male sex (HR=1.369, p=0.0186) and advanced age (HR=1.021, p=0.0347) increased ICI risk.
• Antihypertensive use nearly doubled ICI risk (HR=1.958, p=0.0002), and antidepressant use increased risk by 47.1% (HR=1.471, p=0.0093).

Conclusions:

• Recurrent falls elevate ICI risk in older adults, especially males and older individuals.
• Antihypertensive and antidepressant use are significant predictors of increased ICI risk.
• Identifying high-risk patients and tailoring medication management are crucial for reducing fall-related injury severity.