BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Falls are common events in Parkinson disease (PD) but only a few prospective studies have focused on causes and consequences of falls in PD patients. The aim of the study was prospective analysis of direct causes and consequences of falls in PD patients in comparison to the control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred PD patients and 55 age-matched controls were enrolled in the study. The diagnostic workup in all patients included neurological examination, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, ultrasonography, otolaryngological, ophthalmological and autonomic function examination. During 12 months of follow-up, falls were registered in both groups, direct causes were classified according to the St. Louis and Olanow classification, and consequences were established. RESULTS: Falls occurred in 54% of PD patients and in 18% of control subjects. Analysis of direct causes of falls revealed that sudden falls were the most common (31%), followed by episodes of freezing and festination (19.6%), neurological and sensory disturbances (mostly vertigo) (12%), environmental factors (12%), postural instability (11%), orthostatic hypotension (4%), and severe dyskinesia (3.6%); 6.19% of falls were unclassified; 22% of patients had the same etiology of subsequent falls. In PD patients, intrinsic factors were dominant, whereas in the control group intrinsic and extrinsic factors occurred with the same frequency. Every third fall intensified fear of walking. 34% of falls caused injuries; among them bruises of body parts other than the head were most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Intrinsic factors are the most common causes of falls in PD. Every third fall intensifies fear of walking and causes injuries.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Falls are common events in Parkinson disease (PD) but only a few prospective studies have focused on causes and consequences of falls in PDpatients. The aim of the study was prospective analysis of direct causes and consequences of falls in PDpatients in comparison to the control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred PDpatients and 55 age-matched controls were enrolled in the study. The diagnostic workup in all patients included neurological examination, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalography, ultrasonography, otolaryngological, ophthalmological and autonomic function examination. During 12 months of follow-up, falls were registered in both groups, direct causes were classified according to the St. Louis and Olanow classification, and consequences were established. RESULTS: Falls occurred in 54% of PDpatients and in 18% of control subjects. Analysis of direct causes of falls revealed that sudden falls were the most common (31%), followed by episodes of freezing and festination (19.6%), neurological and sensory disturbances (mostly vertigo) (12%), environmental factors (12%), postural instability (11%), orthostatic hypotension (4%), and severe dyskinesia (3.6%); 6.19% of falls were unclassified; 22% of patients had the same etiology of subsequent falls. In PDpatients, intrinsic factors were dominant, whereas in the control group intrinsic and extrinsic factors occurred with the same frequency. Every third fall intensified fear of walking. 34% of falls caused injuries; among them bruises of body parts other than the head were most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: Intrinsic factors are the most common causes of falls in PD. Every third fall intensifies fear of walking and causes injuries.
Authors: Doreen McClurg; Jalesh Panicker; Richard W Walker; AnneLouise Cunnington; Katherine H O Deane; Danielle Harari; Andrew Elders; Jo Booth; Suzanne Hagen; Helen Mason; Susan Stratton Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-02-17 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Soraia M Silva; Fernanda I Corrêa; Paula F C Silva; Daniela F T Silva; Paulo R G Lucareli; João C F Corrêa Journal: Braz J Phys Ther Date: 2015-04-27 Impact factor: 3.377
Authors: Alessandra Fanciulli; Nicole Campese; Georg Goebel; Jean Pierre Ndayisaba; Sabine Eschlboeck; Christine Kaindlstorfer; Cecilia Raccagni; Roberta Granata; Ubaldo Bonuccelli; Roberto Ceravolo; Klaus Seppi; Werner Poewe; Gregor K Wenning Journal: Neurology Date: 2020-09-16 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Robert A Hauser; Stephane Heritier; Gerald J Rowse; L Arthur Hewitt; Stuart H Isaacson Journal: Clin Neuropharmacol Date: 2016 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 1.592