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. 2009 Oct-Dec;3(4):337-343.
doi: 10.1590/S1980-57642009DN30400013.

Characteristics of falls in mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease

Eliane Mayumi Kato-Narita  1 , Marcia Radanovic  2
Affiliations

Characteristics of falls in mild and moderate Alzheimer's disease

Eliane Mayumi Kato-Narita et al. Dement Neuropsychol. 2009 Oct-Dec.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

The occurrence of falls in AD patients is frequent, and their consequences are cognitive decline, fractures and loss of independence. Many studies have addressed fall risk factors in order to establish effective prevention strategies.

Objectives: We describe the frequency and characteristics of falls in a sample of AD patients and their main risk factors.

Methods: We evaluated 40 subjects without cognitive impairment, and 45 AD patients, graded as CDR 1 and CDR 2.

Results: Environmental hazard risks were the most frequent cause associated with falls in CDR 1 (41.4%) and CDR 2 (46.7%). Instability (31%) and dizziness (17.2%) were frequent causes of falls in the CDR 1 group, and this group showed the highest rate of recurrence (28%). In both groups of AD patients, indoors falls predominated (70.3 and 80% respectively for CDR 1 and 2). In our sample, the remaining factors studied were not associated with increasing risk for falls.

Conclusions: These results reinforce the hypothesis that falls in AD are mutifactorial and that their risk factors are highly interconnected. Preventative strategies considering all aspects should be implemented most crucially eliminating environmental risks, maintaining constant presence of caregivers, and providing physical and functional stimulation, both in mild and moderate AD.

Fundamentos: A ocorrência de quedas entre idosos com a doença de Alzheimer (DA) é muito frequente, e traz consequências graves como a piora cognitiva, fraturas e perda da independência. Muitos estudos foram realizados com o objetivo de identificar os fatores de risco associados às quedas, com o fim de propor estratégias de prevenção.

Objetivos: O presente estudo buscou descrever a frequência e características das quedas em uma amostra de pacientes com DA, e seus principais fatores de risco.

Métodos: Foram analisados 40 idosos sem alterações cognitivas e 45 com DA, classificados em CDR 1 e CDR 2.

Resultados: Riscos ambientais foram associados às quedas tanto no grupo CDR 1 (41.4%) como CDR 2 (46.7%). Instabilidade (31%) e tontura (17.2%) foram frequentes no grupo CDR 1, sendo este o grupo que apresentou o maior índice de recorrência (28%). Em ambos os grupos com DA, as quedas ocorreram mais frequentemente dentro de casa (70,30 e 80% respectivamente para os grupos CDR 1 e 2).

Conclusões: Estes resultados reforçam a hipótese de que as quedas em pacientes com DA são multifatoriais e seus fatores de risco altamente interconectados. Medidas preventivas devem ser realizadas, principalmente quanto a retirada de riscos ambientais, a presença constante de cuidador, e a estimulação física e funcional do paciente, tanto na fase leve como na moderada da DA.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; elderly; falls.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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