RESEARCH - Prevalence, outcome and risk for falling in 155 ambulatory patients with rheumatic disease

March 2, 2006

APLAR Journal of Rheumatology

August 2005

Prevalence, outcome and risk for falling in 155 ambulatory patients

with rheumatic disease

Abstract

Aim: Older people are at greater risk of falls and fall-related

adverse outcomes. Risk for falls is multifactorial, and relative importance

of risk factors (RF) may vary according to the population studied. Although

several population studies identify musculoskeletal factors as one of many

RFs, there have been few studies of falls in populations with rheumatic

disease. In this study we aim to assess the incidence of falls, prevalence

of falls RFs and outcomes of falls in an ambulatory population with

rheumatic disease.

Methods: Using a retrospective cohort study design, consecutive

patients attending rheumatology outpatient clinics completed a

self-administered falls questionnaire that investigated falls within the

previous 12 months, risk for falling and fear of falling.

Results: One hundred and fifty-five patients, with a mean age of 59.7

years (SD 15.0) completed the survey. Seventy-six patients (49%) reported

one or more falls in the previous 12 months. Fifty-eight (76.3%) reported an

adverse outcome which included fracture in 12 (15.8%) and hospital

attendance or admission in 20 (26.7%). Fear of falling was also common,

being reported in 81 (52.3%) patients. Moderately or severe fear of falling

was reported in 26 (16.8%) among the whole group and in 10% of the 78

patients who had not yet experienced a fall.

Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the high incidence

of falls and fear of falling in patients with rheumatic disease and identify

groups likely to be at higher risk. These patients should be considered for

falls prevention programs that have been shown to reduce falls risk and

improve self-efficacy.

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

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