New tool could help GPs predict and prevent serious falls

Our new 'STRATIFY-Falls' tool can predict which patients are most at risk of falling in the next one to ten years. This could allow GPs to provide more personalised care and target falls prevention strategies for patients, such as exercise-based interventions or drug reviews.' One factor that doctors can control is the amount and type of medications prescribed, such as blood pressure medications, also known as antihypertensives. But if not carefully monitored, these drugs may lower blood pressure too much. We will use the STRATIFY-Falls tool to identify these potential participants and then follow them up to see if they experience fewer falls after deprescribing their blood pressure lowering treatment.'