Falls among geriatric cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and risk across cancer types

Lingamaiah D 1 , Bushi G 2 , Gaidhane S 3 , Balaraman AK 4 , Padmapriya G 5 , Kaur I 6 Show all authors , Lal M 7 , Iqbal S 8 , Prasad GVS 9 , Pramanik A 10 , Vishwakarma T 11 , Malik P 12 , Sharma P 13 , Singh MP 14 , Punia A 15 , Jagga M 16 , Shabil M 17 , Mehta R 18 , Sah S 19 , Zahiruddin QS 20

Affiliations 

  • 1 Noida Institute of Engineering and Technology (Pharmacy Institute), Greater Noida, India
  • 2 School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
  • 3 One Health Centre, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha, India
  • 4 Research and Enterprise, University of Cyberjaya, Persiaran Bestari, Cyber 11, Cyberjaya, Selangor, 63000, Malaysia
  • 5 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Sciences, JAIN (Deemed to Be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • 6 Department of Allied Healthcare and Sciences, Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, 303012, India
  • 7 Department of Medicine, NIMS University, Jaipur, India
  • 8 Chandigarh Pharmacy College, Chandigarh Group of College, Jhanjeri, Punjab, Mohali, 140307, India
  • 9 Department of Chemistry, Raghu Engineering College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, 531162, India
  • 10 School of Applied and Life Sciences, Division of Research and Innovation, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
  • 11 IES Institute of Pharmacy, IES University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, 462044, India
  • 12 New Delhi Institute of Management, Delhi, India
  • 13 Department of Microbiology, Graphic Era (Deemed to Be University, Clement Town, Dehradun, 248002, India
  • 14 Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
  • 15 Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, 140417, India
  • 16 Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal, 174103, Pradesh, India
  • 17 University Center for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
  • 18 Clinical Microbiology, RDC, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, 121004, India
  • 19 SR Sanjeevani Hospital, Kalyanpur, Siraha, 56517, Nepal. sanjitsahnepal561@gmail.com
  • 20 South Asia Infant Feeding Research Network, Division of Evidence Synthesis, Global Consortium of Public Health and Research, Dattameghe Institute of Higher Education, Wardha, India. zahirquazi@dmiher.edu.in
BMC Geriatr, 2025 Mar 15;25(1):179.
PMID: 40089681 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-025-05722-1

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Falls represent a significant health concern among the older adults, particularly geriatric cancer patients, due to their increased susceptibility from both age-related and cancer treatment-related factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize global data on the prevalence and risk of falls in this population to inform targeted fall prevention strategies.

METHODS: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to October 2024. Articles were screened using Nested Knowledge software by two independent reviewers. Eligible studies included those involving geriatric cancer patients aged 60 years or older reporting on fall prevalence. Quality assessment was performed using a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and meta-analysis was conducted using random-effects models with R software.

RESULTS: From 1,365 identified studies, 86 met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 180,974 participants. The pooled prevalence of falls was 24% (95% CI, 20%-28%), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 100%). Country- and cancer-type-specific analyses revealed variability in fall prevalence, with breast cancer patients showing the highest prevalence. The comparative risk analysis did not show a statistically significant difference in fall risk between cancer patients and non-cancer controls.

CONCLUSION: Falls are a prevalent and concerning issue among geriatric cancer patients, with substantial variability influenced by cancer type and study design. Personalized fall prevention strategies tailored to cancer-specific risk factors are essential. Further research is warranted to explore the complex interplay of cancer treatments, frailty, and fall risk in this vulnerable population.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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