Hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia are risk factors for falls in the hospital population

ObjectiveTo determine the role of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia or the combination of both as independent risk factors for falls in a hospital population. Secondary objectives included evaluation of other risk factors for falling and their relationships with glucose levels.Research design and methodsRetrospective cohort study over 2years on hospitalized subjects (N=57411) analyzing in-hospital-falls and capillary glucose values. Bivariate analysis ((2) test) and multivariate analysis (logistic regression) were performed to test for correlation of glucose values, age, sex, Charlson index, service of care, diagnosis at discharge and diabetes treatment with risk of in-hospital-falls.ResultsThe comparison of patients who experienced a fall (fall population) with the non-fall population suggested that: glucose determinations were significantly more frequent in the fall population (OR 3.45; CI 2.98-3.99; p<0.0001); values of glucose below 70mg/dl and over 200mg/dl were significantly associated to falls during hospitalization (OR 1.76; CI 1.42-2.19; p<0.001) as compared to glycemic values between 70 and 200mg/dl; diabetes treatment was significantly correlated to risk of fall (OR 2.97; CI 2.54-3.49; p<0.001); the frequency of glycemia measurements below 70mg/dl and over 200mg/dl in the same subject was significantly associated to falls during hospitalization (OR 1.01; CI 1.01-1.02; p<0.001).ConclusionHypoglycemia and hyperglycemia during hospital stays are correlated with an increased risk for falls in the hospitalized population. Presence of diabetes, use of insulin or glucose variability could potentially constitute risk factors for falls inside the hospital as well.