Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

The Rhabdomyolysis Evaluation in the Emergency Department (REED) Score

Falls are common in older people, and sometimes they can't get up for a long time. This can lead to a serious condition called rhabdomyolysis, where muscles break down and can harm the kidneys. This study aims to create a decision-making tool for doctors in the Emergency Department. It will help them figure out which older patients (aged 60 and over) who have fallen and been on the floor for over an hour are at high risk of developing rhabdomyolysis and severe kidney problems, meaning they need to stay in hospital. The tool will also help identify patients who are low-risk and can safely return home, potentially avoiding unnecessary hospital stays and related issues.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

University of Salford

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

01 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

01 Apr 2026

Rhabdomyolysis Death Kidney Replacement Therapy Fall Patients Acute Kidney Injury

What is this study about?

When older people fall, it can sometimes take a while for them to get help, especially with current pressures on ambulance services and emergency departments. If someone stays on the floor for a long time after a fall, it can lead to a serious health problem called rhabdomyolysis. This condition happens when muscle tissue breaks down and releases harmful substances into the bloodstream, which can damage the kidneys and sometimes even be life-threatening.

Currently, it's not always clear which of these older patients will go on to develop severe health problems like acute kidney injury (where the kidneys suddenly stop working properly) or even need treatments like kidney dialysis. Doctors need a better way to predict who is most at risk. This study aims to develop a new tool, a bit like a checklist or a scoring system, that doctors can use in the Emergency Department. This tool will help them quickly assess which older adults (age 60 and above) who have had a long lie after a fall are likely to develop these serious complications.

The main goal is to improve how doctors make decisions. By using this tool, they can identify patients who truly need to be admitted to hospital for close monitoring and treatment, potentially preventing serious harm. Equally important, the tool will help identify patients who are at low risk and can safely go home, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions which can sometimes lead to other problems like infections or losing strength while in bed. This research will look back at existing medical records to understand what factors led to good or bad outcomes for similar patients in the past.

Key takeaways

This study helps doctors predict who needs hospital care after a fall.
It focuses on older adults who stay on the floor for a long time.
The goal is to prevent rhabdomyolysis and kidney damage.
Data from past medical records is being used, not new patient involvement.
The tool will help decide who can safely go home and who needs admitted.
This could improve care and reduce unnecessary hospital stays for future patients.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking at information from people who have already been treated. You wouldn't be asked to take part directly in a new study or change your care. The researchers are reviewing past medical records.

The records they are looking for belong to older adults aged 60 or more who visited the Emergency Department. These individuals must have had a fall, and it's thought they were on the floor or unable to move for at least an hour. They also must have had a specific blood test result that shows they developed rhabdomyolysis.

They would not include records if the patient had previously opted out of their data being used for research. Also, if the doctor doing the research had been directly involved in that patient's care, those records would not be used. Finally, patient records where their muscle breakdown was caused by other specific conditions, like seizures or severe burns, would also not be included.

Quick self-check

Are you 60 years old or older?
Did you have a fall that led to you being on the floor for over an hour?
Did you develop rhabdomyolysis (a specific condition identified by blood tests)?
Did you previously agree for your medical data to be used for research?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

This is a 'retrospective study', which means the researchers are looking back at existing medical information. They won't be contacting patients, asking them to do anything new, or changing their current care. Instead, a researcher will be looking through electronic medical records from past patients who visited the Emergency Department. They will collect information like blood test results, age, medical history, and what happened after their hospital visit, including whether they needed specific treatments or went home. This information helps them understand what factors predicted worse outcomes. Your involvement, if your past records were used (anonymously), would be completely indirect and would not require any action from you.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct risks or benefits to individuals whose records are used in this study, as it involves reviewing already collected, anonymised data. The information gathered will be protected to ensure privacy. The potential benefit is for future patients: the study aims to create a tool that could help doctors make better decisions about care for older adults after a fall and a long lie. This could lead to more accurate and timely treatment, potentially preventing serious complications and unnecessary hospital stays for others. As it's a review of past data, there's no question of an individual withdrawing from the study once their anonymised data has been extracted.

Locations (1)

Southend University Hospital
Westcliff-on-Sea, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is rhabdomyolysis?

Rhabdomyolysis is a serious condition where damaged muscle tissue breaks down and releases harmful substances into your blood. These substances can then damage your kidneys.

What does 'long lie' mean?

A 'long lie' means someone has fallen and remained on the floor or unable to move from one position for more than an hour.

Will I be contacted if my information is used?

No, this study looks at existing medical records and uses anonymised data. You will not be contacted.

How will my personal information be kept private?

The researchers will remove any personal identifiers like your name or NHS number. The data will be stored securely on password-protected systems.

How will this study help patients?

This study aims to create a tool that helps doctors quickly decide which older patients who have fallen and had a 'long lie' need urgent hospital care, and which ones can safely go home, improving patient safety and care.

How to find out more

Ashley Reed, MSc MResCP BSc (Hons)

A.D.Reed@edu.salford.ac.uk +447534964854 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.