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QUESTION: What is the evidence that risk factor modification and other interventions will reduce falls in people ≥65 years of age?
Data sources
Studies were identified by searching Medline to March 1998 with the terms fall, falls, accidental falls, fracture, elderly, aged, older, and senior. Bibliographies of studies and reviews were scanned, and experts were contacted.
Study selection
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were selected if the interventions were designed to minimise or prevent exposure to risk factors for falling or fractures; participants were ≥65 years of age and living in the community or in residential care; and the number of falls, fractures, or people who had fallen was reported.
Data extraction
Data were extracted on study quality, patient characteristics, settings, types of interventions (exercise and multifaceted), and outcomes. Recommendations were graded (A for evidence from multiple RCTs or meta- analyses; B for a single RCT or weak, inconsistent findings from multiple …
Footnotes
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Source of funding: UK Department of Health.
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For correspondence: Professor G Feder, Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Barts and the London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry, London E1 4NS, UK. g.s.feder{at}mds.qmv.ac.uk.