Falling and fall risk in adult patients with severe haemophilia

Summary

The objective of this study was to define fall rates and to identify possible fall risk factors in adult patients with severe haemophilia. Patients, material, methods: 147 patients with severe haemophilia A and B were evaluated using a standardized test battery consisting of demographic, medical and clinical variables and fall evaluation. Results: 41 (27.9 %) patients reported a fall in the past 12 months, 22 (53.7 %) of them more than once. Young age, subjective gait insecurity and a higher number of artificial joints seem to be risk factors for falling. Conclusion: Falls seem to be a common phenomenon in patients with severe haemophilia. Fall risk screening and fall prevention should be implemented into daily practice.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel der Untersuchung war es, die Häufigkeit von Sturzereignissen bei erwachsenen Hämophilie-Patienten zu untersuchen sowie mögliche Sturzrisikofaktoren zu identifizieren. Patienten, Material, Methoden: 147 Patienten mit schwerer Hämophilie A und B wurden mittels einer standardisierten Testbatterie, bestehend aus demografischen, medizinischen und klinischen Variablen sowie der Sturzanamnese, untersucht. Ergebnisse: 41 (27.9 %) Patienten stürzten in den letzten 12 Monaten, 22 (53.7 %) davon mehr als ein Mal. Junges Alter, subjektive Gangunsicherheit und eine höhere Anzahl an endoprothetisch versorgten Gelenken scheinen Risikofaktoren für einen Sturz zu sein. Schlussfolgerung: Stürze waren ein häufiges Phänomen unter den Studienteilnehmern. Es erscheint sinnvoll, Screeningmaßnahmen sowie prophylaktische Maßnahmen zu etablieren, um Patienten mit besonders hohem Sturzrisiko zu identifizieren und Sturzereignisse zu vermeiden.

Keywords

haemophilia - fall risk - adult

Schlüsselwörter

Hämophilie - Sturzrisiko - Erwachsene

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