Simple query can predict falls risk

Researchers from the University of Southampton found that asking patients whether they had previously fallen boosted the accuracy of the FRAX score commonly used to predict fracture risk by 6%.

The modified tool also correctly predicted the lower risk of fracture in around 80% of men who subsequently did not fall.

Lead author Dr Mark Edwards from the university said: ‘In a clinical setting, asking whether a patient has fallen is quick and easy. Fracture prediction is extremely important to allow us to target treatments to those at greatest risk: assessing falls history provides us a further tool with which to do so.’