Sandra S Brotherton1, James S Krause, Paul J Nietert. 1. Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, PO Box 250965, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. brothers@musc.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with falls among a sample of ambulatory individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional mail survey. METHODS: A survey instrument of participant characteristics and fall-related variables was developed using relevant items from existing measures and was mailed to 221 individuals with incomplete SCI, who were identified from records of a large specialty hospital in the southeastern United States. Of the 221 prospective participants, 119 completed the questionnaire (54%). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors that were independently associated with having had a fall in the past year. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, having fallen in the past year was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with greater numbers of medical conditions (odds ratio [OR] = 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-1.7), having arthritis (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.2-9.6), experiencing dizziness (OR = 5.6, 95% Cl = 1.1-27.7), greater numbers of days with poor physical health (OR = 1.1; 95% Cl = 1.0-1.3), and the restriction of community activities because of fear of falling (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1). The multivariable models also showed that the odds of having fallen were significantly lower among those with better current perceived physical health (OR = 0.5; 95% Cl = 0.3-0.9), those with better perceived health compared to a year ago (OR = 0.4; 95% Cl = 0.2-0.8), individuals who exercised more frequently (OR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.1-0.7), and those who used a walker (OR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that interventions that address exercise frequency, walker use, and dizziness have promise for reducing falls for individuals with incomplete SCI.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE: To determine factors associated with falls among a sample of ambulatory individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional mail survey. METHODS: A survey instrument of participant characteristics and fall-related variables was developed using relevant items from existing measures and was mailed to 221 individuals with incomplete SCI, who were identified from records of a large specialty hospital in the southeastern United States. Of the 221 prospective participants, 119 completed the questionnaire (54%). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine factors that were independently associated with having had a fall in the past year. RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, having fallen in the past year was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with greater numbers of medical conditions (odds ratio [OR] = 1.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-1.7), having arthritis (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.2-9.6), experiencing dizziness (OR = 5.6, 95% Cl = 1.1-27.7), greater numbers of days with poor physical health (OR = 1.1; 95% Cl = 1.0-1.3), and the restriction of community activities because of fear of falling (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1-2.1). The multivariable models also showed that the odds of having fallen were significantly lower among those with better current perceived physical health (OR = 0.5; 95% Cl = 0.3-0.9), those with better perceived health compared to a year ago (OR = 0.4; 95% Cl = 0.2-0.8), individuals who exercised more frequently (OR = 0.2; 95% CI = 0.1-0.7), and those who used a walker (OR = 0.3; 95% CI = 0.1-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that interventions that address exercise frequency, walker use, and dizziness have promise for reducing falls for individuals with incomplete SCI.
Authors: Teresa Liu-Ambrose; Karim M Khan; Janice J Eng; Patti A Janssen; Stephen R Lord; Heather A McKay Journal: J Am Geriatr Soc Date: 2004-05 Impact factor: 5.562
Authors: Alia Khan; Clara Pujol; Mark Laylor; Nikola Unic; Maureen Pakosh; Jaclyn Dawe; Kristin E Musselman Journal: Spinal Cord Date: 2019-04-09 Impact factor: 2.772