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Multidisciplinary approach to “accidental” falls in the elderly: A case report
Author(s) -
Galizia Gianluigi,
Testa Gianluca,
Mazzella Francesca,
Cacciatore Francesco,
Ungar Andrea,
Masotti Giulio,
Rengo Franco,
Abete Pasquale
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
geriatrics and gerontology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.823
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1447-0594
pISSN - 1444-1586
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0594.2008.00459.x
Subject(s) - accidental , medicine , anamnesis , accidental fall , multidisciplinary approach , differential diagnosis , medical emergency , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , surgery , social science , physics , pathology , sociology , acoustics
Falls in the elderly are commonly and often wrongly identified as “accidental”. We report a case of an elderly woman admitted to first aid for a trauma due to an accidental fall. Geriatric multidisciplinary evaluation revealed mild cognitive impairment associated with depressive symptoms; both findings made the anamnesis uncertain. Syncope algorithm was applied and “tachy‐brady form of sick sinus syndrome” was diagnosed. Differential diagnosis between “accidental” and “apparently accidental” falls in elderly patients is very difficult but a multidisciplinary geriatric evaluation can clarify the correct diagnosis.