Article

OBJECTIVE: To study the necessity and ability to climb stairs in persons after a
lower-limb amputation (LLA) and the relation of this ability with personal and
clinical variables. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Outpatient department
of a rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Persons with an LLA (N=155; mean age
+/- SD, 64.1 +/- 11.2y; 73% men). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME
MEASURES: The necessity to climb stairs was assessed with the Prosthetic Profile
of the Amputee. Several indicators of the ability to climb stairs were assessed
including: (1) independence in climbing stairs with a handrail and (2) without a
handrail, according to the Locomotor Capabilities Index; (3) numbers of floors
actually climbed, according to a rating scale; and (4) limitations in climbing
stairs, according to the Climbing Stairs Questionnaire (range, 0-100, with higher
scores indicating less limitations). Multivariate logistic regression analysis
was used to investigate the associations between the ability to climb stairs and
personal and clinical variables. RESULTS: Of the participants, 47% had to climb
stairs. The ability to climb stairs was: (1) 62% independently climbed stairs
with a handrail and (2) 21% without a handrail; (3) 32% didn't climb any stairs,
34% climbed half a floor or 1 floor, and 34% climbed >/= 2 floors; (4) the median
sum score (interquartile range) of the Climbing Stairs Questionnaire was 38
(19-63), indicating marked limitations. Older participants and women were less
able to climb stairs with and without a handrail. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable
number of persons with an LLA have to climb stairs in their home environment.
Many of them, especially older participants and women, are particularly hampered
in their ability to climb stairs.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS