Fall Incidence and Risk Factors in Hemodialysis Patients

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to assess the incidence, risk factors and complications of falls in the hemodialysis (HD) population.

MATERIAL and METHODS: Using a prospective study design, chronic HD patients aged ≥50 years were recruited. The baseline characteristics and laboratory markers of all study participants were recorded. Participants were followed prospectively for 12 weeks. Patients were questioned thrice weekly about fall incidents.

RESULTS: A total of 34 patients (mean age 69.1 year) participated in this study. 16 falls occurred in nine (26.5%) patients over 12 weeks of follow-up with an incidence rate of 1.30 falls/patient-year. By applying univariate logistic regression analysis, previous fall history (odds ratio 10.5, P-value= 0.008), high parathyroid hormone level (odds ratio 1.032, P-value= 0.016) and impaired balance (odds ratio 9.00, P-value=0.017) were identified as significant risk factors for falls.

CONCLUSION: We concluded that high parathyroid hormone levels might be an important predictor of falls in HD patients in addition to impaired balance and previous fall history. As such, parathyroid hormone is a crucial factor to target for future intervention strategies aimed at reducing the fall incidence in the HD population.