Objectives: To examine the association between Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) use and falls and fractures. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting and participants: 400 female patients aged 70 years or older who were consecutively admitted to the Trauma Center Meidling, Vienna, after a fall and who required hospital admission. Methods: We quantified the strength of the associations between PPI use and falls, and between PPI use and fractures, using a logistic regression. Results: use of PPIs was significantly associated with risk of recurrent falls (OR 1.92, 95% CI = 1.05 – 3.50, p = 0.04) as well as with risk of a fracture (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.10 – 4.21, p = 0.03). Conclusions: In conclusion, our results provide further evidence that PPI use may increase risk of falls and fractures in older women and highlight the need for clinicians to reassess the original indication and the need for continuation of PPIs on a regular basis.@en

Objective:

To investigate the influence of three different types of shoe models frequently worn at home, including an open heel shoe model, on gait parameters that are associated with fall risk in older persons.


Methods:

Twenty-five community-dwelling independent older persons were asked to walk on an electronic walkway system, the GAITRite® walkway, while wearing three different shoe models which are frequently worn at home. We measured spatial and temporal gait parameters.


Results:

Gait velocity and stride length were significantly reduced, and step time, stance, and double support time were significantly increased, when older persons wore an open heel shoe model compared to the high collar shoe models.

Conclusion:

Wearing an open heel shoe model is associated with gait parameters that are associated with fall risk, compared with a high collar shoe model, in community-dwelling older persons. With regard to falls prevention, further attention for footwear in older persons seems warranted, especially for footwear worn in and around the home.
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