Article

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with recurrent falls in individuals
with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Cross-sectional multicenter
study. SETTING: Two specialized rehabilitation centers. PARTICIPANTS: Included:
individuals with traumatic
SCI >/=1 year postinjury who were aged >/=18 years.
Excluded: individuals with motor complete injuries above C5 or below L5. The
study sample comprised participants (N=224; 151 wheelchair users, 73 ambulatory;
77% men; mean age +/- SD, 50+/-15y; median time since injury, 15y [range, 1-56y])
who were consecutively recruited at regular follow-up. INTERVENTIONS: Not
applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Primary outcome was factors associated with
recurrent falls (defined as low frequent [0-2] or recurrent [>2]) the previous
year. Independent variables were demographic data, wheelchair user or ambulatory,
work, health-related quality of life, risk willingness, alcohol consumption,
ability to get up from the ground, and exercise habits.
RESULTS: Fifty percent
reported recurrent falls. In the final multiple logistic regression model,
ambulation (odds ratio [OR]=2.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-5.37),
ability to get up from the ground (OR=2.22; 95% CI, 1.21-4.10), and regular
exercise (OR=1.86; 95% CI, 1.05-3.31) were associated with recurrent falls
(P</=.05), and with increasing age the OR decreased (OR=.97; 95% CI, .95-.99).
CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with SCI should be considered at risk of recurrent
falls, and thereby at risk of fall-related injuries. Fall prevention programs
should be focused on ambulatory, younger, and more active individuals who had the
highest risks for recurrent falls.
CI - Copyright (c) 2016 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS