Article

Older cancer survivors may be predisposed to falls because of the sequalae
associated with cancer and its treatments. This study examined the association
between the fall history, balance performance, and health-related quality of life
(QoL) in older, community-dwelling cancer survivors who had completed primary
cancer treatments. Forty-one cancer survivors
(age = 67.9 +/- 8.8 years)
participated in the study. Balance performance was examined using the
Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) and the Balance Evaluation
Systems Test (BESTest). Scores from the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and
Mental Component Summary (MCS) of the SF-36v2 were obtained to assess the QoL.
The demographics and health status were comparable between the fallers and
non-fallers. While 54% of the participants had experienced at least one fall in
the past 12 months, 30% had experienced two or more falls. Spearman's correlation
analysis revealed a significant relationship between the outcomes from the ABC
and the PCS (p < 0.001), and between the BESTest and the PCS (p < 0.001). Only
the PCS significantly differentiated fallers from non-fallers (p < 0.01).
Logistic regression analysis estimated that a one-unit increase in the PCS score
significantly reduced the odds of falling by 13% (p < 0.01).
The results
demonstrate that in older cancer survivors, falls are a significant problem and
balance control is a determinant of perceived physical function and well-being.
Older cancer survivors reporting a poor QoL in the physical health domain may
have higher risks of falling. Future studies are needed to examine the risk
factor profiles of falls and the interventions to prevent falls in older cancer survivors.
CI - Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS