Factors associated with falls in hemodialysis patients: a case-control study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.5300.3505Keywords:
Postural Balance; Accidental Falls; Renal Dialysis; Risk Factors; Body Weight Changes; Clinical Nursing Research.Abstract
Objective: to identify possible associations between a higher
probability of falls among hemodialysis patients and laboratory
values, comorbidities, pharmacological treatment, hemodynamic
changes, dialysis results and stabilometric alterations. Method:
this was a retrospective case-control study with hemodialysis
patients. Patients in a hemodialysis unit who had suffered one
or more falls were included in the case group. Patients from
the same unit who had not suffered falls were the controls.
Data were gathered from the patients’ clinical history and
also from the results of a balance test conducted six months
before the study. Results: thirty-one patients were included
(10 cases and 21 controls). Intradialytic body weight change
was significantly greater among cases (p <0.05). Patients in
the case group also presented greater lateral instability after
dialysis (p <0.05). Other factors such as high blood pressure,
antihypertensives, beta-blockers, and lower heart rates were
also associated with falls. Conclusion: a greater intradialytic
weight change was associated with an increase in risk of falls.
Nursing staff can control these factors to prevent the incidence
of falls in dialysis patients.
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