Posttraumatic stress disorder in older people after a fall.

Background: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychological condition, never studied in relation to falls in older people. This study determines the prevalence and correlates of PTSD in older people post-fall.

Method: A prospective survey study, with baseline data collected by interview in hospital post-fall and by postal self-completion at 12 and 24 weeks post-baseline.