%0 Journal Article
%T Home-related falls: an underestimated mechanism of injury
%J Journal of family and community medicine
%D 2018
%A Abdelrahman, Husham
%A Almadani, Ammar
%A El-Menyar, Ayman
%A Shunni, Adam
%A Consunji, Rafael J.
%A Al-Thani, Hassan
%V 25
%N 1
%P 48-51
%X BACKGROUND: The home is a leading location for falls, but the epidemiology and outcome of falls at home (FH) have not been adequately described. Our aim was to evaluate FH, particularly in the bathroom. <br><br>MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with a history of FH admitted to the Level I trauma center in Qatar. Patients were divided into Group 1: <60 years and Group 2: 60 year or older, and their data were analyzed and compared. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 98 patients with FH in the bathroom with a mean age of 51 ± 18 years, mostly males (73.5%) were identified over 3 years. One out of every 50 trauma patients admitted was a victim of a fall in the bathroom. Group 2 had significantly more females and sustained a single-site injury. Group 1 had more involvement of alcohol (P = 0.02) and sustained more multiple injuries (44% vs. 23%; P = 0.02). The mean Injury Severity Score and length of hospital stay was comparable among the two groups. Head, abdomen, and facial injuries were significantly higher in Group 1 whereas lower extremity injuries and mortality were significantly higher in Group 2. <br><br>CONCLUSION: FH, particularly in the bathroom, is an underrecognized mechanism of injury with a unique dichotomous epidemiology based on age. This needs increased public awareness and primary prevention programs for high-risk populations.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Medknow Publications
%@ 1319-1683
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_148_16