Fall risk: the clinical relevance of falls and how to integrate fall risk with fracture risk

Peeters, G.; van Schoor, Natasja M.; Lips, Paul

doi:10.1016/j.berh.2009.09.004

« Previous Next »Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology
Volume 23, Issue 6 , Pages 797-804, December 2009

Fall risk: the clinical relevance of falls and how to integrate fall risk with fracture risk

G. Peeters, MSc (Postdoc researcher, Epidemiologist)
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for health and care research, VU University Medical Center, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Tel.: +31 204449336; Fax: +31 204446775.
Natasja M. van Schoor, PhD (Postdoc researcher, Epidemiologist)
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for health and care research, VU University Medical Center, van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Tel.: +31 204448439; Fax: +31 204446775.
Paul Lips, PhD, MD (Professor of endocrinology)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Endocrinology, VU University Medical Center, Postbus 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +31 204440614; Fax: +31 204440502.

In old age, 5–10% percent of all falls result in a fracture, and up to 90% of all fractures result from a fall. This article describes the link between fall risk and fracture risk in community-dwelling older persons. Which factors attribute to both the fall risk and the fracture risk? Which falls result in a fracture? Which tools are available to predict falls and fractures? Directions for the use of prediction tools in clinical practice are given. Challenges for future research include further validation of existing prediction tools and evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of treatment after screening.

Keywords: accidental falls, fracture, risk profiles, osteoporosis