Falls in people living with HIV : a scoping review
Date
2020-11
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMJ Open
Abstract
Objectives: Recent research has indicated seemingly
increased propensity for falls and accelerated bone
demineralisation in people living with HIV (PLWH). We aim to map out the extent and nature of existing research relating to falls in PLWH and describe the relationship between bone demineralisation and falls in PLWH. Methods: A scoping review was done following
Arksey & O’Malley’s methodological framework and
recommendations from Joanna Briggs Institute. Four
databases were searched until October 2019 for peer-reviewed studies available in English reporting on the
definition, prevalence, assessment, risk factors and
interventions for falls in PLWH as well as information on
bone demineralisation linked to falls in PLWH. Narrative
reviews were excluded. Two reviewers independently
performed the extraction using a predesigned Excel sheet. A descriptive analysis of extracted information was done. Results: Fourteen studies on falls in older PLWH were identified, with all but one study conducted in high-income countries. Prevalence of falls in PLWH ranged from 12% to 41%. Variable assessment tools/tests were used to assess potential risk factors, but it remains to be determined which are more predictive and appropriate for use among PLWH. Considerable agreement existed for risk factors
regarding use of medications while evidence regarding
functional and cognitive impairments were variable. Few
studies compared risk factors for falls in PLWH with those in age-matched and sex-matched seronegative population. There is currently no evidence for interventions to prevent or reduce falls risk in PLWH.
Conclusion More research is needed on falls in younger
cohorts of PLWH and in sub-Saharan Africa where HIV
is most prevalent and more robust clades exist. More
studies need to report on data in seronegative controls to determine risk factors unique to PLWH. More intervention studies targeted at falls prevention and promotion of bone health are required. Quality clinical practice guidelines highlighting validated assessment tools and outcome measures need to be developed.
Description
CITATION: Charumbira, Maria Yvonne, Berner, Karina & Louw, Quinette Abegail. Falls in people living with HIV : a scoping review. BMJ Open, 10:e034872, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034872.
The original publication is available at: https://bmjopen.bmj.com
The original publication is available at: https://bmjopen.bmj.com
Keywords
Hospital patients -- Care, Patient falls in hospital, Falls (Accidents)
Citation
Charumbira, Maria Yvonne, Berner, Karina & Louw, Quinette Abegail. Falls in people living with HIV : a scoping review. BMJ Open, 10:e034872, doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-034872