Surveys of fall risk rate among type 2 diabetic patients at 108 Military Central Hospital

Abstract

Objectives: To survey of fall risk rate among type 2 diabetic patient at 108 Military Central Hospital using a fall risk screening questionnaire. Subject and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 105 patients with diabetes from January 2023 to May 2023 using the Johns Hopkins Fall Risk Assessment Tool (JHFRAT). Results: The average age was 61.8 ± 14.0 years. The study subjects were predominantly male, accounting for 64.8%. The percentage of subjects at risk of falling according to JHFRAT was 73.4%, while those not at risk accounted for 26.6%. Patients aged ≥ 60 years had a 1.5 times higher risk of falling compared to those aged < 60 years (p < 0.05). Those taking ≥ 3 medications had a 1.83 times higher risk than the group taking < 3 medications (p < 0.05). Patients with peripheral neuropathy complications had a 2.3 times higher risk of falling compared to those without complications, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study found that 73.4% of diabetic patients had a high risk of falling. There is a correlation between age, the number of medications being used, and peripheral neuropathy complications with the risk of falling. Therefore, all diabetic patients admitted for inpatient treatment should be screened for fall risk to prevent falls during hospitalization