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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| Prospective evaluation of unexplained syncope, dizziness, and falls among community-dwelling elderly adults | | Author(s) | Denis O'Mahony, Chris Foote |
| Journal title | The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological sciences and medical sciences, vol 53A, no 6, November 1998 |
| Pages | pp M435-M440 |
| Keywords | Fainting ; Falls ; Diagnosis ; Living in the community. |
| Annotation | This UK study evaluated a diagnostic algorithm in the assessment of symptoms of unexplained syncope (fainting), dizziness and falls in a cohort of older people living in the community. 54 consecutive patients aged 61-91 were assessed systematically for 12 months using the algorithm, followed up until a diagnosis was made, and appropriate preventive therapy or advice given. Diagnoses were obtained in 41 patients (75.9%) Of 33 patients with syncope, cause was identified in 23: 12 vasovagal, 5 arrhythmia, 3 hypotensive drugs, 2 orthostatic hypotension, and 1 major anxiety with hypoventilation; in 10, cause remained uncertain. Of 10 patients with non-syncopal falls, 3 had drop attacks with associated knee osteoarthritis or quadriceps muscle weakness, 2 orthostatic hypotension, and single cases of cerebellar ataxia, Parkinson's disease, otologic vertigo, and vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Of 11 patients with dizziness, 4 had vasovagal syncope, 2 orthostatic hypotension, 2 otologic vertigo, 1 carotid sinus syndrome; in 2, the cause remained obscure. 19 of the 41 patients had at least one other abnormality also contributing to their symptoms. 5 of the 13 with no clearcut diagnosis had cardiovascular or balance abnormalities. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-990302003 A |
| Classmark | CTF: OLF: LK7: K4 |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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