Falls, fracture prevention and bone health Jane Reddaway (Falls prevention lead TCT)

Osteoporosis Falls To achieve Fracture Reduction Fracture Prevention Force

What is a fall? ‘Unexpected event in which the participant comes to rest on the ground, floor or other lower level than intended’ (Lamb et al 2005) Includes falling out of bed or a chair, slipping in the bath. Excludes tripping and correcting self, banging into a wall, being pushed or knocked over, lying on floor intentionally.

Falls Guidance National Service Framework for Older People (2001) AGS/BGS Guidelines (2010) NICE Guidance: Falls (2004) NICE Guidance: Osteoporosis (2004) RCP National Audit for falls and bone health 2006 NPSA slips trips and falls in hospital 2007 WHO global report on falls prevention 2007 SW Strategic Health Authority ambitions 2009

Categories of Falls Explained fall: a simple slip or trip Explained loss of consciousness (LOC): When the diagnosis of LOC is made at the time of the fall or within 7 days. ie MI, CVE. Unexplained LOC: No cause found even after routine assessment and investigations Unexplained fall / Recurrent falls: no apparent cause or explanation for the fall

Identify risk factors: Personal and/or Environmental Can be summarised as: D.A.M.E DRUGS AGEING MEDICAL CONDITIONS ENVIRONMENTAL

Drugs: Side effects/out of date drugs Poly-pharmacy (more than 4 medications) Culprit groups: sedatives, diuretics, anti- hypertensives, hypnotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines Alcohol/recreational drugs Compliance/over dosing Alternative therapies

Ageing: Impaired vision Hearing/vestibular problems Reduced strength, balance, gait, bone density Cognitive impairment, dependence Housing type, living alone, bereavement Fear of falling/reduced confidence

Medical Conditions: CVE/TIA (stroke), Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, dementia Cardiac arrythmias, myocardial infarction (heart attack), chronic heart failure, postural hypotension Arthritis, osteoporosis Incontinence, alcoholism Infection (chest/UTI etc) Diabetes, hypothyroid Dehydration

Environmental Hazards: Lighting full spectrum light bulbs Stairs Loose carpets, rugs, slippery floors Ill-fitting footwear Lack of safety equipment or adaptations in the home. Inaccessible lights, windows, sockets Pets, clutter Weather Unfamiliar environment Other people Uneven surfaces

InstantAgeing

Interventions that demonstrate good evidence Exercise programme - Balance, gait and lower limb strength training-either 1:1 or group(A) Minimise use of Psychoactive medication(B) Reduce total no. of meds(B) Expedite cataract surgery (B) Vit D supplements<800IU/day for proven Vit D deficiency (A) Home environment interventions (A) AGS/BGS 2010

Osteoporosis Normal boneOsteoporotic bone Osteoporosis literally means “porous bones”

What are the risk factors for osteoporosis? Low trauma fracture. Oral steroid exposure (any dose for > 3/12). Hysterectomy or premature menopause < 45 years of age. Amenorrhoea > 1 year Family history of hip fracture. Anti-convulsants Some medical conditions eg. malabsorption of calcium, hypogonadism. Low BMI <19kg/m 2 Kyphosis X ray evidence of vertebral deformity or osteopenia

Calcium & Vitamin D Supplementation 37% of older people in institutional care are vitamin D deficient High dose calcium and vitamin D prevents hip fracture in institutionalised elderly people by up to 43% Reduces body sway and improves balance Available as a sachet dissolved in water Calcichew D3, Caplet; Calfovit, drink once daily, Cacit D3 2 x daily drink or a chewable tablet, Adcal D3 1 tablet twice daily (Ask GP for alternative if non-compliant) Few side effects – mainly gastrointestinal.

Fracture Prevention Diet 5 a day fruit and veg 1200 mg calcium 800iu Vitamin D Avoid fizzy drinks, caffeine and excess alcohol Exercise Bone loading Strength training Site specific (hip/wrist/spine) Avoid smoking Plus falls prevention strategies

This tortoise was raised on a high protein, calcium deficient diet. This is a terrible example of poor diet resulting in extreme deformity. This healthy tortoise had a well balanced, calcium rich diet

Fragility fracture through the life span 1 Osteoporosis + falls = fragility fractures 1. J Endocrinol Invest 1999;30: Kanis JA & Johnell 2. Osteoporosis Review. 2009;17(1):14-16 Mitchell PJ “Hip fracture is all too often the final destination of a 30 year journey fuelled by decreasing bone strength and increasing falls risk” 2 Morbidity from other causes Additional morbidity from fragility fractures

The Falls register Identifies those at risk (3/3+) Informs the GP surgery their patient has had a fall. Should lead to further assessment if at risk Benefits

The GP practice should ‘Read Code’ the fall: 16D PARIS (IT system for Torbay Care Trust) holds the falls register and will send the details to the GP practice (proforma s Hdrive/useful resources/forms_templates/falls) Falls Pathway Complete the Falls register Including falls risk assessment (FRAT) tool

Falls Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) YESNO 1*1* Ask the person is there a history of any fall in the previous year (include this fall)? Number of falls in previous 12 months = 2 Is the patient/client on four or more medications per day? Identify number of prescribed medications. 3 Does the patient/client have a diagnosis of stroke or Parkinson’s Disease? 4 Does the patient/client report any problems with their balance? 5 Is the patient/client unable to rise from a chair of knee height? Ask the person to stand up from the chair of knee height without using their arms/ask person to describe how they rise from the chair *If the answer is YES to question 1 complete falls register 3 or more positive (YES) responses = at risk of falls If scores >3: complete falls register if not already done and carry out a personal and environmental (multifactorial) risk assessment If scores <3 suggest: giving patient information on falls prevention Telephone the falls register to report each fall:

Multifactorial falls assessment If low risk: scores <3 on FRAT : send ‘Staying Steady’ falls prevention leaflet If at risk: scores >3 on FRAT: Should lead to further assessment: What should happen next?

Falls In Hospital NSPA 2007 identified the following risks as most significant in hospital: Walking unsteadily Being confused Being incontinent/needing the toilet frequently Previous falls Taking sedatives

Falls the Future Falls, fracture prevention and bone health clinical commissioning group If you would like to join the falls special interest group that meets quarterly your details to

Useful Contacts Chris Dixon, Lead Nurse, Osteoporosis. Tel: Jane Reddaway, Lead OT, Osteoporosis/Falls. Tel:

Map Of Medicine The national falls care pathway is available to you on the internet This outlines the evidence behind falls interventions and what effective interventions can be employed to modify falls risks

Resources NSF for Older People, Standard Six Falls ( National Osteoporosis Society ( Age UK (previously Help the Aged and Age Concern) ( ) Nice guidelines for Falls ( ) Hip protectors: –Promedics –BSN medical –Win Health

Measuring Postural Drop Lie patient flat for 5 minutes (in silence) then take blood pressure (BP) Stand patient and repeating BP Repeat at 3 minutes Orthostatic hypotension- systolic fall more that 20mmHg, diastolic more than 10mmHg

Resources National Patient Safety Agency Royal College of Physicians National Audit for falls and bone health Leaflets for service users Torbay Active Ageing leaflet What is Postural Hypotension? Having Falls?

Exercise Resources Age UK DVDs –’Be Strong, Be Steady’ ‘Step to the Future’ £12 each + p&p

Thank you Any questions?