European Geriatric Medicine - Supplement 1 - Volume 7 - October 2016

191 / 290

71.9 (11.0) p-value 0.513. Overall prevalence rates (%) of falls (CI95%) in
the 16 European countries was 5.18 (4.99 –5.37). The prevalence was
higher inwomen in all countries with a clear north-south pattern. The
ratio women/men varied from 1.3 in Sweden and Denmark to 3.7 in
Italy. Portugal presented the highest rate among women [12.53
(10.40 –14.67)] and Hungary among men [6.46 (4.63–8.29)]. The
lowest rates were in Slovenia for women [3.22 (2.28 –4.16)] and in
Switzerland [1.29 (0.68 –1.90)] for men.
Conclusion: The prevalence of falls among elders showed accentuated
disparities between countries and by sex. It is important to understand
the reasons behind falls in elderly to implement effective preventive
campaigns and actions to minimise falls risk.
P-591
Causes and risks of falls in patients treated in a geriatric clinic:
proposal of an algorithm for the management
A. Gruschwitz, R.J. Schulz. St. Marienhospital Cologne
Introduction: Falls as a geriatric syndrome are one of the major
contributors of morbidity and mortality in people of older age. Proper
management of causes and risks of falls is a major task in a geriatric
clinic.
Methods: We are currently developing a new algorithm to systemat-
ically diagnose and treat causes and risk of falls in patients referred to
our clinic of geriatric medicine. Our algorithm attempts to consider
the challenges to evaluate syncope and pre-syncompe in cognitively
impaired patients, specific symptoms like vertigo, standard judgement
of multiprofessionally obtained results of geriatric assessment, as well
as diagnostic possibilities and ressources. The primary goal is to reduce
frequency of falls during the hospital stay, and addition after dismissal
of the patient. We regularly capture events of falls in our patient
database and will compare frequencies before and after introduction
of our algorithm.
Results: Details of the composition of the algorithm as well first
outcome data will be presented at the meeting.
Conclusions: Establishment of a standard algorithm to assess and
manage causes and risks of falls in the setting of a geriatric clinic may
help to better weigh musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular,
and other fall determinants in individual patients and as a conse-
quence to better decide on further diagnostic procedures as well as
targeted treatment approaches, including highly specific physical
therapy and a accurate recommendations for the general practitioner
managing patients after the hospital stay.
P-592
Detecting diabetes mellitus and prediabetes in patients with acute
stroke
M. Randles, A. O’ Connor, E. Hannon, N. Harnedy, S. Cronin. Departments
of Geriatric Medicine and Neurology
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability [1]. Control of
modifiable risk factors is the most effective approach to decreasing the
burden of stroke [2]. The purpose of this study was to determine the
prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and prediabetes (pre-DM) in
acute stroke patients in an Irish population. We conducted a
retrospective review of the records of stroke patients admitted to
Cork University Hospital from 9th March 2014 to 9th March
2015. HbA1C and fasting glucose measurements during admission
were recorded. DM and pre-DM prevalence levels were determined
using both HbA1C and fasting glucose level. Among 445 strokes
admitted to CUH, 383 (86%) had a test for diabetes performed. 241
(54%) had a HbA1c check, while 252 (57%) had a measurement of
fasting glucose performed. 39 (9%) had a HbA1c level >47 mmol/L. 40
(9%) had a HbA1c between 42 and 47 mmol/L. 27 (6%) had a fasting
glucose greater than 7 mmol/L. The rate of Impaired Fasting Glucose
varied from 7% to 21% dependant on range used. In our study 6–9%
of acute strokes had either a fasting glucose or HbA1c consistent
with DM, while 7–21% had pre-DM. The rate of detection of DM and
pre-DM varies with diagnostic test performed, suggesting that both
HbA1c and fasting glucose should be performed in cases of acute
stroke.
References
1. Feigin VL, Forouzanfar MH, Krishnamurthi R, Mensah GA, Connor
M, Bennett DA, et al. Global and regional burden of stroke during
1990–2010: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010.
Lancet 2014;383:245–254.
2. Meschia JF, Bushnell C, Boden-Albala B, Braun LT, Bravata DM,
Chaturvedi S, et al. Guidelines for the primary prevention of stroke:
a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart
Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke 2014;45:3754–
3832.
P-593
Colon-specific automated massage ameliorates idiopathic chronic
constipation in aged women
I. Herrero-Fresneda1, M. Benet1, A. Calzada1, M. Wilhelms1. 1USMIMA S.
L., c/LLacuna 162, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
Objectives: The colon-specific abdominal massage has been shown
effective in treating constipation. To study the efficacy of a medical
device that automatically reproduces this manual massage we
conducted a pilot study with chronically constipated aged people.
Methods: n = 8 women (50 – 86 yo), chronically constipated for >5 y
due to idiopathic causes, w/o anal sphincter dysinergia and not using
the manual abdominal massage, received 15min automatic massage,
once a day for 15 days, administered with the medical device
MOWoOT. Abdominal massage was an additional treatment; patients
did not suspend any of their prescribed therapeutic regimens. Before
and after the treatment patients answered questionnaires for fecal
consistency (Bristol scale), chronic constipation (CCCS) and Quality-of-
Life scores (CVE-20). During the treatment they filled in an evacuation
diary. Each patient serves as her own control. Quantitative variables
were analyzed with paired t-Test. Non-parametric variables with
Mann-Whitney test. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: 2 people (50yo each) were excluded due to not compliance.
There was not any reported adverse effect. Results showed a clear
increase in the median number of depositions per week (from 4 to 6,
P = 0.006); an amelioration in fecal consistency (from 3 to 5, Bristol
P = 0.056), in min/deposition (from 7 to 3′8, P = 0.020) and in whole
constipation score (CCCS from 12 to 8, P = 0.001). All patients reported
comfortable sensation during the automated massage.
Conclusions: The colon-specific automatic massage improves the
frequency of evacuations and fecal consistency ameliorating idiopathic
chronic constipation in aged women.
P-594
Cool down! Minimizing health risks of elderly people during heat
waves
H.-P. Hutter1, A. Arnberger2, B. Allex2, R. Eder2, F. Kolland3, A. Wanka3,
B. Blättner4, H.A. Grewe4, M. Kundi1, P. Wallner1,5. 1Institute of
Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University
Vienna, Austria; 2Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and
Conservation Planning, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
Vienna, 3Institute of Sociology, University of Vienna, 4Department of
Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Fulda,
5Medicine and Environmental Protect
Introduction: Intensive heat has negative impacts on human health
resulting in higher morbidity/mortality during and past heat waves.
Particularly at risk are (very) elderly and socially isolated persons. Aim
of our study “Cool towns for the elderly – protecting the health of
elderly residents against urban heat” was, inter alia, to explore how
elderly people perceive heat and how they adjust their behaviour in
response to heat. Targeted adaptation strategies were to be developed.
Methods: Using standard questionnaires (SF-6, de Jong-Gierveld
loneliness scale) 400 subjects (>65 years) living in four different
urban districts (varying proportion of green spaces, differences in
Poster presentations / European Geriatric Medicine 7S1 (2016) S29–S259 S185