• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.74-82
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the fall risk factors and to evaluate the effectiveness of the Morse Fall Scale(MFS) as an assessment tool among hospitalized inpatients. Methods: The medical records of a total of 294 patients who admitted to hospital from January 1 to December 31, 2010 were reviewed. One hundred forth seven patients who had experienced fall were matched with 147 patients who have never experienced fall. The fall information was obtained from electronic medical records and fall reports. Results: There were significant differences in visual disturbances, pain, emotional disturbances, sleep disorder, urination problems and elimination disorder at admission between fallers and non-fallers. Patients who had higher MFS scores at admission were more likely to fall as compared to the patients with lower MFS scores. When falls did occur, these occurred within five days following admission, in the patient room, among patients with alert mental status, and among patients who were ambulant with some assistance. Conclusion: The findings of this study support the need of using risk assessment tool for predicting risk for falls. This finding can be used as a useful resource to develop nursing intervention strategies for fall prevention at the hospital.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.63-70
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• 2016

Background: The Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and the Fullerton Advanced Balance (FAB) scale were used to assess balance function in patients with balance problem. These multidimensional clinical balance scales provide information about potential risk factors for falls. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the predictive properties of the PBS and FAB scales relative to fall risk in children with cerebral palsy (CP) using a receiver operating characteristic analysis. Methods: In total, 49 children with CP (boy=21, girl=28) who were diagnosed with level 1 or 2 according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System participated in this study. The PBS and FAB were performed, and verified cut-off score, sensitivity, specificity, and the area of under the curve (AUC). Results: In this study, the PBS scale was as a predictive measure of fall risk, but the FAB was not significant in children with CP. A cut-off score of 45.5 points provided optimal sensitivity of .90 and specificity of .69 on the PBS, and a cut-off score of 21.5 points provided optimal sensitivity of .90 and specificity of .62 on the FAB. Both scales showed moderately accurate of AUC with .79 and .76, respectively. Conclusion: The PBS is a useful screening tool for predicting fall risk in children with cerebral palsy, and those who score 45.5 or lower indicate a high risk for falls and are in need of balance intervention.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2001

Objectives : To analyze factors associated with elderly falls in a community dwelling, a comparatively important, but somewhat neglected, health mailer. Methods : Data came from personal interview surveys using a questionnaire of 552 people aged 65 or older living in a community. Socioeconomic, and health related characteristics were investigated as independent variables and experiences of falling in the previous year as the dependent variable. Results : 118(21.4%) of the elderly subjects experienced a fall in the previous year. 24 subjects experienced more than two falls, accounting for 20.3% of the elderly fall victims studied. Factors affecting the falls were families living together, level of daily activity, heart disease, and aconuresis;, therefore an elderly person who lives alone, lives independently, has heart disease, or suffers urinary incontinence had a demonstrated increased chance of failing. Conclusion : Groups at risk for luting included elderly persons living alone, living independently, suffering heart disease, or experiencing urinary incontinence. When an elderly fall prevention program is developed and implemented, these results should be considered.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.6353-6363
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• 2013

This study examined the factors associated with recurrent falls among the community-dwelling elderly. The participants were 329 community-dwelling elderly. The data was collected from February 5, 2010 to February 14, 2010. Over the past 1 year, 14.3% of the 329 participants fall once, and 4.0% experienced recurrent falls. There was a significant difference among the non fallers, single faller and recurrent fallers with regard to the static balance(F=5.86, p=.003), dynamic balance(F=24.32, p<.001), risk of fall(F=9.94, p<.001) and compliance of prevention behavior related to falls(F=3.09, p=.047). The analysis results for the correlation between variables showed that the number of falls had a negative effect on the knee flexors muscular strength(r=-.15, p=.008), static balance(r=-.16, p=.004) and compliance of prevention behavior related to falls(r=-.12, p=.030) and a positive affect for the dynamic balance(r=.26, p<.001), depression(r=.13, p=.019) and risk of falls(r=.30, p<.001). The variables explained 36.0% of the variants in the occurrence of recurrent falls. Therefore, an effective recurrent fall prevention program should focus on multiple risk factor intervention.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.257-267
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors of fall and to examine its results among patients aged 60 and over diagnosed with osteoporosis. Methods: A retrospective descriptive survey was conducted with 91 patients admitted in a university hospital in a city. Data were collected using an interview method with a structured questionnaire, and were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. Results: In patients with osteoporosis, the intrinsic risk factors of falls were aging (OR = 3.742), gait disturbance (OR = 12.565), taking one or fewer medicine (OR = 7.873), and having two or more diseases (OR = 5.173). The extrinsic risk factors included the use of a bed (OR = 3.093), slippery floors (OR = 12.130), bathroom mat without anti-slip rubber backing (OR = 3.564), and presence of a night light on the passage from the bedroom to the bathroom (OR = 2.980). Conclusion: For the elderly aged over 70 who are most vulnerable to falls, screening tests such as bone mineral density (BMD) should be conducted in health examinations and the risk of fracture caused by osteoporosis should be communicated to the vulnerable elderly. Besides, development of new exercise programs combining weightbearing exercise is needed to prevent bone loss and increase functional activities.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.204-209
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• 2021

This study is a data analysis study to identify the factors influencing the prevalence and risk factors for falls of older adults with dementia in Korea. Using the data of the 7th Aging Research Panel in 2018, 119 people were enrolled. We used response data on the dementia-related factors that is the duration of dementia and whether or not activity of daily living was restricted due to dementia. For comorbid diseases, data on hypertension, diabetes, and obesity were used. For statistical analysis of the collected data, logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS statistics 22.0. Dementia-related factors and comorbidities of the analyzed subjects had a significant effect on the falling index. In particular, it was found that the influence was greatest in the order of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, daily life restrictions due to dementia, and the duration of dementia. This study is meant to identify factors that should be prioritized in the composition of a fall prevention program for the elderly with dementia. Based on the findings of this study, strategies for preventing falls due to the duration of dementia and limiting daily life, intensive management of high-risk groups for falls due to comorbid diseases, and training in the use of safety aids such as walking aids will be required in the care of the elderly with dementia,

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.584-590
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• 2017

Objective : Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children under age 24 months has characteristic features because the brain at this age is rapidly growing and sutures are opened. Moreover, children this age are completely dependent on their parents. We analyzed the demographic data and risk factors for outcomes in TBI patients in this age group to elucidate their clinical characteristics. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiological films of children under 24 months who were admitted to Kyungpook National University Hospital from January 2004 to December 2013 for TBI. Specifically, we analyzed age, cause of injury, initial Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, radiological diagnosis, seizure, hydrocephalus, subdural hygroma, and Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score, and we divided outcomes into good (GOS 4-5) or poor (GOS 1-3). We identified the risk factors for post-traumatic seizure (PTS) and outcomes using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results : The total number of patients was 60, 39 males and 21 females. Most common age group was between 0 to 5 months, and the median age was 6 months. Falls were the most common cause of injury (n=29, 48.3%); among them, 15 were falls from household furniture such as beds and chairs. Ten patients (16.7%) developed PTS, nine in one week; thirty-seven patients (61.7%) had skull fractures. Forty-eight patients had initial GCS scores of 13-15, 8 had scores of 12-8, and 4 had scored 3-7. The diagnoses were as follows : 26 acute subdural hematomas, 8 acute epidural hematomas, 7 focal contusional hemorrhages, 13 subdural hygromas, and 4 traumatic intracerebral hematomas larger than 2 cm in diameter. Among them, two patients underwent craniotomy for hematoma removal. Four patients were victims of child abuse, and all of them had PTS. Fifty-five patients improved to good-to-moderate disability. Child abuse, acute subdural hematoma, and subdural hygroma were risk factors for PTS in univariate analyses. Multivariate analysis found that the salient risk factor for a poor outcome was initial GCS on admission. Conclusion : The most common cause of traumatic head injury in individuals aged less than 24 months was falls, especially from household furniture. Child abuse, moderate to severe TBI, acute subdural hematoma, and subdural hygroma were risk factors for PTS. Most of the patients recovered with good outcomes, and the risk factor for a poor outcome was initial mental status.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical utility of the Four square step test (FSST) for predicting falls in stroke patients, to compare the ability of the FSST test to discriminate between subgroups of fallers, and to determine if the test has any predictive value in identifying stroke patients who will fall. Methods: Stroke patients (N=37) who could walk at least 50 m with minimal assistance were recruited consecutively when attending a physical therapy session during their rehabilitation. Dynamic standing balance was measured using the FSST. The main outcome measures were FSST time and fall number. Numbers of falls were compared with FSST scores. Differences between the groups in FSST scores were examined using a t-test and 1-way analysis of variance. Post hoc analysis using the Tukey B procedure was used to identify specific group differences. Alpha was set at 0.05. Results: A total of 15 participants (40.5%) reported falls 6 had recurrent falls (2 falls) and 9 fell once. The mean FSST time differed significantly between groups with zero and multiple falls. A cutoff score of greater than 17 seconds on the FSST was associated with a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 84% for the identification of subjects with multiple risk factors for falls. Conclusion: The FSST is a feasible and valid clinical test of dynamic standing balance and can predict falls in post-stroke patients.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the risk factors for falls among the elderly living in community. Method: This was a descriptive study. The subjects comprised 80 elderly aged 65 years or over living in D city. The instruments used for this study was the MDS-HC V2.0. The data was analyzed by SPSS Win 14.0 using t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Result: Among the socio-demographic characteristics, the significant differences were found in ADL by gender and marital status. Older elderly(${\geq}85$) used more medications than other elderly. The elderly were use average 4.33 medications, but 46.3% of the subjects didn't have the physician reviewed all medications. There was statistically significant correlation between number of medications and accidental falls. Conclusion: Nurses should inspect about the number of medications, drug interaction, and side effects. It would be preventive intervention for falls in elderly.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.564-573
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• 2011

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to identify the factors associated with the first reported fracture in osteoporotic patients. Methods: One hundred and sixty-four patients who presented with osteoporosis at K hospital in G city, South Korea between July and September 2010 were participated in study. Modified Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey tool were used to measure participants' living habits. Computer aided nutritional analysis program (CAN-PRO) designed by Nutrition Information Center in the Korean Nutrition Society (2002) was used to analyze foods intake and to calculate the individual nutrients intake. Results: The risk of developing the first osteoporotic fracture was ten times higher in the patients between 65 to 74 years (OR=10.06, p=.010), and 28.41 times greater in those with increasing falls (OR=28.41, p<.001). Patients with higher bone marrow density (BMD) and higher consumption of animal protein diet had lower risks of developing the first osteoporotic fracture (OR=0.37, p=.011; OR=0.88, p=.040, respectively). Conclusion: Risk factors for osteoporotic fracture included the age from 65 to 74 years, an increase in falls, low animal protein consumption, and reduced BMD. Systematic educational program is needed to prevent fracture in osteoporotic patients.