Tatjana Gazibara1, Darija Kisic Tepavcevic1, Marina Svetel2, Aleksandra Tomic2, Iva Stankovic2, Vladimir S Kostic2, Tatjana Pekmezovic3. 1. Institute of Epidemiology, Visegradska 26a, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia. 2. Clinic of Neurology, Dr. Subotica 6, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia. 3. Institute of Epidemiology, Visegradska 26a, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia. Electronic address: pekmezovic@sezampro.rs.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe circumstances of near-falls among persons with Parkinson's disease (PD), assess factors associated with near-falling and assess whether near-falls in the first 6 months are associated with falling in the latter 6 months over one year of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period August 2011-December 2012, 120 consecutive persons with PD, who denied having fallen in the past 6 months, were recruited at Clinical center of Serbia in Belgrade. Occurrence of falling and near-falls was followed for one year. RESULTS: A total of 31 persons with PD (25.8%) experienced near-falls, but did not fall. Of 42 fallers, 32 (76.2%) experienced near-falls. Tripping was the most common cause of near-falls among fallers, whereas postural instability was the most common in non-fallers. Regardless of falling experience, the most common manner to avoid fall was holding onto furniture or wall. After adjustment for multiple motor and non-motor PD features, more severe freezing of gait was associated with occurrence of near-falls over one year of follow-up (odds ratio [OR]=1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.16; p=0.043). Adjusted regression analysis did not show associations between near-falling in the first 6 months and falling in the latter 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Near-falls commonly occur in persons with PD. More severe freezing of gait appears to predispose near-falling. Fall prevention programs focusing on balance maintenance when experiencing freezing of gait could potentially be useful in reduction of near-falls.
OBJECTIVES: To describe circumstances of near-falls among persons with Parkinson's disease (PD), assess factors associated with near-falling and assess whether near-falls in the first 6 months are associated with falling in the latter 6 months over one year of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period August 2011-December 2012, 120 consecutive persons with PD, who denied having fallen in the past 6 months, were recruited at Clinical center of Serbia in Belgrade. Occurrence of falling and near-falls was followed for one year. RESULTS: A total of 31 persons with PD (25.8%) experienced near-falls, but did not fall. Of 42 fallers, 32 (76.2%) experienced near-falls. Tripping was the most common cause of near-falls among fallers, whereas postural instability was the most common in non-fallers. Regardless of falling experience, the most common manner to avoid fall was holding onto furniture or wall. After adjustment for multiple motor and non-motor PD features, more severe freezing of gait was associated with occurrence of near-falls over one year of follow-up (odds ratio [OR]=1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.16; p=0.043). Adjusted regression analysis did not show associations between near-falling in the first 6 months and falling in the latter 6 months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Near-falls commonly occur in persons with PD. More severe freezing of gait appears to predispose near-falling. Fall prevention programs focusing on balance maintenance when experiencing freezing of gait could potentially be useful in reduction of near-falls.
Authors: Kim Chivers Seymour; Ruth Pickering; Lynn Rochester; Helen C Roberts; Claire Ballinger; Sophia Hulbert; Dorit Kunkel; Ioana R Marian; Carolyn Fitton; Emma McIntosh; Victoria A Goodwin; Alice Nieuwboer; Sarah E Lamb; Ann Ashburn Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2019-04-03 Impact factor: 10.154
Authors: Beata Lindholm; Erika Franzén; Wojciech Duzynski; Per Odin; Peter Hagell Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-24 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Diego Orcioli-Silva; Fabio Augusto Barbieri; Paulo Cezar Rocha Dos Santos; Victor Spiandor Beretta; Lucas Simieli; Rodrigo Vitorio; Ellen Lirani-Silva; Lilian Teresa Bucken Gobbi Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2020-02-10 Impact factor: 4.379