Cristino C Oliveira1, Annemarie L Lee1, Jennifer McGinley1, Michelle Thompson2, Louis B Irving3,2, Gary P Anderson3, Ross A Clark4, Sandy Clarke5, Linda Denehy1. 1. Department of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 2. Department of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 3. Lung Health Research Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 4. School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. 5. Statistical Consulting Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence of an increased fall risk in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is a paucity of prospective fall data in this population. This preliminary study aimed to prospectively examine the prevalence rate, incidence rate and associated risk factors for falls in a sample of community-dwelling people with COPD over 1 year. METHODS: Forty-one participants with stable COPD (mean ± SD) aged 71 ± 8 years with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 45.1 ± 16.2% predicted were included. At baseline, participants' demographic, physical function and fall-related measures were documented. Falls were monitored for 12 months following initial assessments. RESULTS: The prevalence of people having falls was 40% (95% CI: 24-56%); amongst these, 75% had frequent falls. The overall fall incidence rate was 1.17 falls/person-year. Risk factors associated with a higher fall incidence rate ratio (IRR) in COPD were: number of pack-years (IRR: 1.02; 95%CI: 1.00,1.04), comorbidities (IRR: 2.02; 95%CI: 1.42,3.06), number of medications (IRR: 1.15; 95%CI: 1.00,1.34), history of falls in the previous year (IRR: 1.89; 95%CI: 1.10,3.34), fear of falling (IRR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02,1.14) and higher score in a fall risk assessment questionnaire for older adults (IRR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.05,1.25); P ≤ 0.05. When adjusted for age, only pack-years (P = 0.01), number of comorbidities (P < 0.001) and history of falls (P = 0.03) were related to an increased fall incidence. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings demonstrated the fall prevalence and incidence rate in community-dwelling people with stable COPD and identified prospective risk factors for an increased fall incidence, which suggest potential mitigation strategies.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite evidence of an increased fall risk in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is a paucity of prospective fall data in this population. This preliminary study aimed to prospectively examine the prevalence rate, incidence rate and associated risk factors for falls in a sample of community-dwelling people with COPD over 1 year. METHODS: Forty-one participants with stable COPD (mean ± SD) aged 71 ± 8 years with a forced expiratory volume in 1 s of 45.1 ± 16.2% predicted were included. At baseline, participants' demographic, physical function and fall-related measures were documented. Falls were monitored for 12 months following initial assessments. RESULTS: The prevalence of people having falls was 40% (95% CI: 24-56%); amongst these, 75% had frequent falls. The overall fall incidence rate was 1.17 falls/person-year. Risk factors associated with a higher fall incidence rate ratio (IRR) in COPD were: number of pack-years (IRR: 1.02; 95%CI: 1.00,1.04), comorbidities (IRR: 2.02; 95%CI: 1.42,3.06), number of medications (IRR: 1.15; 95%CI: 1.00,1.34), history of falls in the previous year (IRR: 1.89; 95%CI: 1.10,3.34), fear of falling (IRR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02,1.14) and higher score in a fall risk assessment questionnaire for older adults (IRR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.05,1.25); P ≤ 0.05. When adjusted for age, only pack-years (P = 0.01), number of comorbidities (P < 0.001) and history of falls (P = 0.03) were related to an increased fall incidence. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary findings demonstrated the fall prevalence and incidence rate in community-dwelling people with stable COPD and identified prospective risk factors for an increased fall incidence, which suggest potential mitigation strategies.
Authors: Stephanie Chauvin; Renata Kirkwood; Dina Brooks; Roger S Goldstein; Marla K Beauchamp Journal: Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis Date: 2020-07-01
Authors: Erin Cecins; Kylie Hill; Dennis R Taaffe; David Manners; Anne-Marie Hill; Robert U Newton; Daniel A Galvão; Vinicius Cavalheri Journal: Pilot Feasibility Stud Date: 2021-08-03
Authors: Marla K Beauchamp; Dina Brooks; Cindy Ellerton; Annemarie Lee; Jennifer Alison; Pat G Camp; Gail Dechman; Kimberley Haines; Samantha L Harrison; Anne E Holland; Alda Marques; Rahim Moineddin; Elizabeth H Skinner; Lissa Spencer; Michael K Stickland; Feng Xie; Roger S Goldstein Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Date: 2017-11-20