Falls can have severe consequences particularly for older patients with cancer undergoing ambulatory care. The aim of the study is to identify the predictors of falls in older patients receiving cancer ambulatory care in Tehran, Iran.
A retrospective study was conducted on 300 older patients aged 60 years and above that were referred for ambulatory care in three oncology clinics based at hospitals in Tehran. Participants completed a questionnaire comprising demographic, history of falls, and cancer-related factors. Logistic regression was used to determine risk factors associated with falls.
35.3% of the older patients with cancer had experienced a fall in the six months following the start of their ambulatory care. The most important predictors of falls include the fourth stage of cancer (odds ratio (OR): 6.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.20-13.08, P <0.001), fear of falling (OR: 5.64, 95%CI: 2.58-12.33, P<0.001), use of hearing (OR: 2.38, 95%CI: 1.07-5.29, P = 0.033) and visual aids (OR: 2.36, 95%CI: 1.12-5.01, P = 0.025), and the number of visits to the doctor (OR: 1.10, 95%CI: 1.01-1.21, P = 0.035). The results indicate that a reduction in falls is possible by introducing strategies to improving care for older patients in advanced stage of cancer, eliminating the causes of fear of falling, examining and improving vision and hearing, and identifying and addressing the underlying causes of visits to the doctor.

Authors:
Ali Darvishpoor Kakhki, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Najmeh Saberi, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Mahnaz Ilkhani, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Hafiz T.A. Khan, University of West London, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Ali Darvishpoor Kakhki is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Iran

See this presentation on the full schedule – Wednesday Schedule

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