Citation

Strandberg TE. J. Am. Med. Assoc. JAMA 2024; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2024, American Medical Association)

DOI

10.1001/jama.2024.11821

PMID

39046723

Abstract

The comprehensive review of risk assessment and prevention of falls by Dr Colón-Emeric and colleagues1 did not mention one important, common, and modifiable risk factor: alcohol use. The relationship between alcohol intoxication and falls is self-evident, whereas the effect of smaller amounts of consumption has been less studied and with inconsistent results. Still, geriatricians well know that in an older individual, even a small, "social" amount of alcohol can affect balance and lead to a fall. This relationship may not be examined in epidemiological studies. For example, in a study of persons aged 65 years and older who sought treatment for injuries resulting from falls, no association was reported between fall injuries and self-reported alcohol use.

Language: en