Falling in elderly is associated with increased risk for future dementia: JAMA

A new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association suggests cognitive screening for senior citizens who have sustained fall and needed hospitalization or the emergency room. According to this study, older persons who have moderate cognitive impairment, which is a prelude to Alzheimer's disease and associated dementias (ADRD) are more likely to fall. However, it is unknown how likely it is for an older adult to have dementia following a fall. Thus, this study by Alexander Ordoobadi was to ascertain the likelihood of a new ADRD diagnosis in older individuals following a fall.

The Medicare program Fee-for-Service data from 2014 to 2015 were analyzed in this retrospective cohort analysis, with follow-up data available for at least a year following the index visit. Adults who were of 66 years of age and older with severe injury that required medical attention in the emergency department (ED) or an inpatient stay were included in the study as participants. The period of data analysis was August 2023 to July 2024. The primary exposure, as determined by the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) and ICD-10 external cause of injury codes, was falling. A Cox multivariable competing risk model that accounted for the competing risk of mortality and adjusted for possible confounders was employed to evaluate the probability of receiving a new ADRD diagnosis within a year following a fall.