Multiple Sclerosis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Multiple Sclerosis, including details on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, prognosis.

Risk factors for falling among people aged 45 to 90 years with multiple sclerosis.

Finlayson ML, Peterson EW, Cho CC

Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. marciaf@uic.edu

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors associated with an increased likelihood of reporting a fall in the past 6 months among people between the ages of 45 and 90 who have multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive design by using telephone surveys. SETTING: States of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. PARTICIPANTS: Total of 1089 people with MS identified through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the MS registry maintained by the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Self-reported fall to the ground in the past 6 months. RESULTS: Exactly 52.2% of participants reported a fall in the past 6 months. Factors associated with an increased risk of a fall included being male, fear of falling, variable or deteriorating MS status in the past year, never or occasional use of a wheelchair, problems with balance or mobility, poor concentration or forgetfulness, and incontinence of bladder. CONCLUSIONS: There are a number of factors associated with an increased risk of falling among people aging with MS that are amenable to intervention and therefore warrant the attention of health care providers serving that population.

Published 28 August 2006 in Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 87(9): 1274-9; quiz 1287.
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