Posters for 2025 26 International Conference on Falls and Postural Stability

Introduction: Sarcopenia constitutes the progressive loss of muscle mass, strength and function, most commonly in adults ≥60 years old. Associated adverse outcomes include immobility, loss of independence, falls, fractures and increased mortality. Predisposing risk factors include aging, comorbid disease and malnutrition. Malnutrition is common amongst older adults and low protein intake is strongly associated with sarcopenia. Dietary protein intake as a risk factor for sarcopenia and subsequent fracture risk is poorly understood. This systematic review aimed to ascertain the relationship and

Introduction: The anticholinergic burden (ACB) has been increasingly recognized as a modifiable risk factor that can contribute to falls, cognitive impairment, and frailty in older adults. Reducing ACB through medication review can potentially lower fall risk and ease strain on healthcare systems. This study aims to identify common contributors to ACB in older adults admitted with falls and evaluate whether ACB assessment was documented at hospital admission. Methods: We conducted a retrospective audit of patients aged >75 years admitted with a coded diagnosis of falls to an elderly care unit

A Project on Inpatient Falls: Are We Adequately Addressing Bone Health? Introduction Inpatient falls in older adults frequently lead to fragility fractures, with femoral fractures occurring in up to 82% of cases (RCP, NAIF 2023). These injuries significantly impact long-term morbidity and cost the NHS an estimated £4.4 billion annually (ROS, 2022). Despite tools like FRAX and national guidance (NOGG, 2021; NICE, 2022), bone health assessments remain inconsistently performed in the inpatient setting after a fall. Objectives To evaluate whether inpatients who experienced falls received

Introduction Medications with anticholinergic burden are associated with falls and cognitive decline in elderly. About 30% of people aged 65 years and over in the UK have a fall at least once each year, increasing to 50% at the age of 80 and over. Method The last 100 patients admitted to the Frailty unit with falls were identified and Anticholinergic Burden (ACB) scores calculated on admission and at discharge. Patients were defined as having a positive (ACB≥1) or negative (ACB=0) ACB score. Drugs responsible for ACB score were identified and medication changes assessed. Results 75 out of 100

INTRODUCTION Postural hypotension is a significant modifiable risk factor for inpatient falls in older adults. National guidelines recommend lying and standing blood pressure (LSBP) measurement for patients at risk of falls. On our geriatric wards, which care for acute, long-stay and orthogeriatric patients, we observed inconsistent LSBP documentation and delays in identifying postural hypotension. Staff reported difficulty locating LSBP records and a perception that fall prevention was being deprioritised in comparison to post-fall care. This project aimed to assess current practice and

Introduction: One-third of people aged ≥65 years fall at least once a year. Exercise on land reduces falls by up to 34% and fallers by >15%. Exercise on land may sometimes be challenging, e.g., for very frail people with high risk or fear of falling, people with painful joints, obesity and other comorbidities. Aquatic exercise may have positive effects on falls reduction, but research on it is sparce. The aim of this study was to design and deliver an aquatic exercise therapy intervention for falls prevention, and investigate its feasibility and acceptability for older adults with high fall

Abstract Content - Introduction Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for bone and muscle health through its role in regulating calcium and phosphate homeostasis. It exists in two main forms: vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). Approximately 90% of vitamin D is synthesized in the skin via exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, with the remaining 10% obtained from dietary sources (Holick, 2007). Both forms are biologically inactive and must be enzymatically converted in the liver and kidneys to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]₂D) (DeLuca, 2004). In addition

Introduction: Certain medications increase the risk of falls in older adults and there is evidence that identification and review of Fall Risk Increasing Drugs (FRIDs) in older adults using a structured approach can significantly reduce falls risk. Anticholinergic burden (ACB), the cumulative effect of medications with anticholinergic activity, is associated with an increased risk of falls in older adults. Studies show that higher ACB scores are linked to higher rates of falls and fractures. Method: Patients admitted to an Older People’s admission ward with a fall as their presenting complaint

Introduction: Falls are a major health risk for older adults, often resulting in serious injury and long-term care (Montero-Odasso et al., 2022). Adults aged 50+ may also be vulnerable due to age-related changes in physical and cognitive function, highlighting the importance of early intervention (Karvonen-Gutierrez et al., 2020). Home modifications are an effective preventative measure (Clemson et al., 2023), yet many individuals resist making changes to their environment . Qualitative findings from our recent mixed methods systematic review identified emotional attachments and resistance to

Background: Pain management following falls is frequently inadequate, especially in non-verbal or cognitively impaired patients. Poor analgesia can contribute to worsened delirium, delayed mobilisation, and longer hospital stays. This project aimed to evaluate and improve the use of regular analgesia in such patients. Methods: Over three audit cycles, we reviewed 20 consecutive patients per cycle admitted with falls or collapse over 96-hour periods. Data collected included age, sex, analgesia regimen (regular, PRN, or none), and verbal status. After cycle one, interventions such as educational

Introduction: Falls in older adults are a common presentation to A&E. As per a report, over 1300 people experienced femoral fracture following a fall in 2021. Falls can be multifactorial, and evaluating this is important. A patient with a new inpatient fall can develop complications like fractures and prolonged hospital stay, leading to higher morbidity and mortality. We noticed that patients admitted with different illnesses develop new inpatient falls in the wards. Hence, we decided to conduct a QI project to review the condition and the circumstances surrounding the falls as an inpatient

Introduction: Polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing are responsible for a significant number of inimical events in elderly patients, including falls and adverse drug reactions. Given the ageing population in the UK, it is now more essential than ever to ensure medication burden is addressed and potentially inappropriate prescribing is reduced. The START/STOPP criteria for prescribing is a validated, evolving criteria that guides appropriate pharmacotherapy for elderly patients, with the aim of supporting safe prescribing. In this project, our objective was a 20% reduction in inappropriate

Introduction LGMD populations have an increased fracture risk. LGMD populations also have a lower muscle mass and therefore abnormal serum creatinine levels, making it more difficult to assess renal function via conventional means, potentially leading to delays in care. Serum Cystatin-C, produced by all nucleated cells, is an alternative way to assess renal function in these patients. Clinical Case A 46-year-old woman with LGMD presented to hospital after a sudden fall from standing to the floor. X-ray imaging confirmed an extracapsular left NOF# and she was operated on the next day with a

The Iliaca Fascia block (IFB) is a crucial regional anaesthetic technique primarily used for providing analgesia in Femoral Fractures. The block targets the femoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, and obturator nerves by depositing local anaesthetic beneath the Fascia Iliaca. The British Orthopaedic Association Standards for Trauma (BOAST) guidelines for management of neck of femur fractures recommend "offering immediate and regular analgesia on presentation” Our Primary aim was to assess whether the block has been completed. If not completed; was a rationale/contraindication appropriately

Introduction: Hospital-acquired deconditioning is a major contributor to inpatient falls, with evidence showing that immobility imposed to prevent falls can paradoxically increase fall risk. In response, the 2024 National Audit of Inpatient Falls (NAIF) advocates a shift from falls prevention to promoting safe activity through a structured Multifactorial Assessment to Optimise Safe Activity (MASA), encompassing six domains: vision, lying and standing blood pressure (LSBP), medication review, delirium, mobility, and continence. Method: A two-cycle quality improvement project was conducted on

Title: The Complexity of Missed Fractures and Postural Instability in an Elderly Fall Patient: A Case Study Introduction: Falls in the elderly population are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, often leading to fractures, reduced mobility, and decreased quality of life. Diagnosing fractures can be challenging, particularly in frail or cognitively impaired individuals who may not report or recognize pain, or when the fracture is subtle on initial radiographs. Missed fractures, combined with postural instability, present unique challenges for clinicians, requiring a multi-faceted