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Multidisciplinary approach to "accidental" falls in the elderly: A case report |
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| Authors: | Gianluigi Galizia Gianluca Testa Francesca Mazzella Francesco Cacciatore rea Ungar Giulio Masotti Franco Rengo Pasquale Abete |
| Institution: | Division of Geriatrics, Department of Clinical Medicine Cardiovascular and Immunological Science University of Naples Federico II, Naples,;Department of Critical Care Medicine and Surgery, Unit of Gerontology and Geriatrics –Hypertension Center, University of Florence, Florence, and;Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Institute of Care and Scientific Research, Telese, Italy |
| Abstract: | 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. |
| Keywords: | elderly fall multidimensional evaluation syncope |