Prevalence and Predictors of Increased Fall Risk Among Women Presenting to an Outpatient Urogynecology and Pelvic Health Center

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of increased fall risk among women presenting to a large pelvic health center using a screening method compatible with the busy clinic environment and to identify factors associated with increased risk. Methods: A retrospective medical records review was conducted on consecutive treatment-seeking women presenting to a Urogynecology & Pelvic Health Center over 6 months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries fall risk screening tool was included among the intake questionnaires all patients completed before their scheduled appointments. Relevant sociodemographic and clinical measures were abstracted from the electronic medical record. Results: Three hundred and forty-eight women completed the fall screen. One hundred and twenty-four (36%) screened positive for increased fall risk. Mean age was 58.7 ± 15.8 years. An age threshold of 68 years best discriminated between those who were and were not identified as at risk. There was a gradient of association between number of urinary symptoms and prevalence of increased fall risk. Patients with 3 or more urinary symptoms were most likely to screen positive (1: odds ratio [OR], 1.51 [0.86-2.66]; 2: OR, 1.62 [0.99-2.64]; 3 or more: OR, 1.84 [1.07-3.17]) after adjusting for other know fall risk factors. Conclusions: The prevalence of increased fall risk in this patient population is high and highest in women with multiple urinary symptoms. The Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries screening tool was a feasible and nonintrusive screening method for identifying increased fall risk during routine patient care. Fall risk and concern about falling should be taken into consideration when deciding management strategies for urinary problems.