Evidence-based guidelines for fall prevention in Korea

Abstract

Falls and fall-related injuries are common in older populations and have negative effects on quality of life and independence. Falling is also associated with increased morbidity, mortality, nursing home admission, and medical costs. Korea has experienced an extreme demographic shift with its population aging at the fastest pace among developed countries, so it is important to assess fall risks and develop interventions for high-risk populations. Guidelines for the prevention of falls were first developed by the Korean Association of Internal Medicine and the Korean Geriatrics Society. These guidelines were developed through an adaptation process as an evidence-based method; four guidelines were retrieved via systematic review and the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II process, and seven recommendations were developed based on the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. Because falls are the result of various factors, the guidelines include a multidimensional assessment and multimodal strategy. The guidelines were developed for primary physicians as well as patients and the general population. They provide detailed recommendations and concrete measures to assess risk and prevent falls among older people.

Keywords: Accidental falls; Aged; Guideline; Prevention.

Figure 1.

Flowchart of guideline selection. OTC, over-the-counter.

Figure 2.

Evaluation of candidate guidelines based on Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II). RACGP, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners; US, United States Preventive Services Task Force; NICE, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; AGS/BGS, American Geriatrics Society/British Geriatrics Society.

Figure 3.

Algorithm of fall assessment for community-dwelling elderly.