Risk factors for falls in different age groups of patients with chronic cerebral ischaemia; [Факторы риска падений у больных различных возрастных групп с хронической ишемией головного мозга]

Introduction. Cognitive impairment, gait andbalance disorders are the most important risk factors for falls in older persons. These neurological impairments are the main clinical manifestations of chronic cerebral ischaemia (CCI), andcan develop at a younger age. Aim: to evaluate the risk factors for falls in patients withCCI in different age groups andto identify the most significant predictors of falls. Materials and methods. We examined 104 patients with CCI. Patients were divided into three age groups: middle age (40–59 years old; n = 13), older age (60–74 years old; n=62), andthe elderly (75 years andolder; n=29). We assessedthe frequency of falls andthe presence of risk factors. Results. Thirty-seven (36%) patients had a history of falls, with its incidence increasing from 8% in the middle-aged group to 37% in the older persons and45%in the elderly. Some patients hadmultiple riskfactors for falls, while the presence of5riskfactors increasedthe riskof falling fourfold. The most common factors inmiddle age were paindue to degenerative spine conditions (85%), anxiety (54%), andvisualimpairment (31%); inolder age–backpain (77%), cognitive impairment (45%), visual impairment (39%), and decreased walking speed (23%); in the elderly — visual impairment (76%), cognitive impairment (69%), back pain (69%), decreasedwalking speed (38%), andorthostatic hypotension (28%). Discriminant analysis revealedthat the best predictors of falls in CCIwere female sex, age over 69 years, depression, cognitive impairment, anda walking speedbelow 1m/sec. Conclusion. Falls wereobservedinallage groups of peoplewithCCI. Notonlythe presenceofaspecificriskfactor for falls, butthe presenceofmultipleriskfactors, has predictive value. The presence of five or more risk factors, as well as a walking speedbelow 1m/sec, can indicate a highriskof falls. © 2022 Sovero Press Publishing House. All rights reserved.