Abstract
Objective
To investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for falling among individuals aging
with multiple sclerosis (MS), muscular dystrophy (MD), postpolio syndrome (PPS), and
spinal cord injury (SCI).
Design
Cross-sectional survey data from 2009 to 2010 were analyzed. We used forward logistic
regression models to examine whether risk factors such as age, sex, mobility level,
years since diagnosis, vision, balance, weakness, number of comorbid conditions, and
physical activity could distinguish participants who reported falling from those who
did not.
Setting
Surveys were mailed to community-dwelling individuals who had 1 of 4 diagnoses (MS,
MD, PPS, or SCI). The survey response rate was 91%.
Participants
A convenience sample of community-dwelling individuals (N=1862; age, 18–94y) with
MS, MD, PPS, or SCI in the United States.
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measure
Self-reported fall within the last 6 months.
Results
Fall prevalence for people with MS (54%), MD (70%), PPS (55%), and SCI (40%). Across
all 4 groups, fall rates peaked in middle age (45–64y) and among people with moderate
mobility limitations. Seven risk factors differentiated participants who fell from
those who did not: mobility level, imbalance, age, curvilinear age (age2), number of comorbid conditions, duration of diagnosis, and sex. The models differed
across diagnostic groups.
Conclusions
People aging with long-term physical disabilities experience unique challenges that
affect their risk of falls. A better understanding of the frequency, severity, and
risk factors of falls across diagnostic groups is needed to design and implement customized,
effective fall prevention and management programs for these individuals.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), MD (muscular dystrophy), MS (multiple sclerosis), PPS (postpolio syndrome), SCI (spinal cord injury)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 19, 2014
Footnotes
Supported by the Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (grant no. H133B080024). However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
Disclosures: none.
Identification
Copyright
© 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
