CHARACTERISTICS OF FALLS IN PATIENTS WITH HIP FRAGILITY FRACTURES IN ITALY: THE PHYSIATRIC APPROACH TO OSTEOPOROSIS 2 SURVEY Introduction/Background

Abstract: CHARACTERISTICS OF FALLS IN PATIENTS WITH HIP FRAGILITY FRACTURES IN ITALY: THE PHYSIATRIC APPROACH TO OSTEOPOROSIS 2 SURVEY Introduction/Background Osteoporosis is a chronic condition characterized by loss of bone density and deterioration of bone strength that lead to a greater risk of fragility fractures. Fall is generally the main cause of fractures. Hip fractures are the most common ones and are usually correlated to a greater morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and circumstances of the falls in patients with hip fractures. Material and Methods On behalf of the Italian Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (SIMFER) we performed a National Survey named PATO 2 (Physiatric Approach To Osteoporosis 2) addressed to 80 rehabilitation units in Italy. The physiatrists involved were asked to collect data about patients ≥55 years who sustained fragility fractures in the year prior to recruitment. For each patient a form including questions about different features of patients’ medical history was administered. In particular, we collected the following data: age, gender, fracture site, number of falls in the last 12 months and the year before the fall, characteristics of the fall that led to the fracture, including extrinsic and intrinsic risk factors. Results In our population, 419 patients sustained a hip fracture, 70 experienced a fall, 119 incurred in multiple falls in the year before the fracture. Our results showed that the hip fractures mainly occurred at home (70.88%), in the morning (36.3%). The majority fell on their side (54%) but there were a significant percentage of patients (>40%) who fell with other injury mechanisms. Conclusion The PATO 2 study provides a characterization of patients with a history of hip fragility fracture, particularly with regard to the characteristics and circumstances of falls. Our findings support the idea of a rationale in a holistic multidimensional approach to falls prevention for osteoporotic patients.