A groundbreaking systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by researchers from Imperial College London has confirmed a strong association between dizziness in older adults and an increased risk of future falls. The study, the first of its kind, highlights that dizziness should not be dismissed as a mere byproduct of ageing.

Dizziness, often described as sensations of vertigo, imbalance, or light-headedness, affects one in three people aged 65 and above. The research team systematically reviewed 29 peer-reviewed studies, involving 103,000 participants, and concluded that older adults experiencing dizziness are 60% more likely to fall than those who do not. Furthermore, these individuals are twice as likely to experience multiple falls.

“Our study conclusively shows that older people with dizziness are at high risk of experiencing falls,” said Dr. Toby Ellmers from the Centre for Vestibular Neurology, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, and the study’s senior author.

Falls are a major concern for the elderly population, as they remain the leading cause of injury-related death in people over 65. According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), falls result in an estimated cost of £2.3 billion per year for the NHS, with over 4 million bed days lost. Hip fractures, a common injury from falls, can lead to decreased mobility, institutionalization, and even mortality.

The study also highlights the most frequent causes of dizziness in older adults, including benign positional vertigo, orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure upon standing), and vestibular migraines. While dizziness is often considered a common symptom in aging, Dr. Ellmers and his team urge healthcare professionals to recognize it as a treatable condition with underlying causes.

“Older adults with even non-bothersome dizzy spells should make an appointment with their GP, to enable early diagnosis and treatment to prevent falling. That will help to avoid a hospital admission or worse,” Dr. Ellmers advised.