Fear of falling increases falling risk among seniors

Winston Churchill knew what he was talking about: Fear can actually be as harmful as the source of fear.

Last week I mentioned an NPR report that detailed Merck’s marketing of Fosamax. Part of that sales plan generated a fear of osteopenia–a normal condition of bone aging that’s not dangerous and should not be feared.

The NPR piece profiled a 54-year-old woman named Katie whose doctor recommended an osteoporosis medication to “treat” osteopenia. Katie, a former marathon runner, told NPR that she’s guarded when she goes out walking these days –-stepping carefully to avoid tripping. She said, “If I didn’t know that I had osteopenia, maybe I wouldn’t be so cautious.”

According to new research, that unnecessary caution actually increases her risk of falling.

Australian Researchers at the University of New South Wales assessed actual and perceived fall risks in about 500 elderly subjects and followed their medical records for one year.

Results showed that some subjects who were at low risk of falling had needless anxiety about falling, which increased their risk of taking a fall.

On the other end of the spectrum, some subjects had a higher risk of falling, but somehow had the perception that their risk was low. Subjects in this category had fewer falls compared to the “needless anxiety” group.

So thanks for nothing, Merck, for promoting unnecessary fear and putting Katie and possibly countless thousands of other women at greater risk of fracture.

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson

Sources:
“In Seniors, ‘Fear of Falling’ Risky in Itself” Robert Preidt, HealthDay News, 8/20/10, healthday.com
“How a Bone Disease Grew To Fit the Prescription” Alix Spiegel, NPR, 12/21/09, npr.org