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The incidence and risk factors of falls in Parkinson disease: prospective study
Affiliations- 1 Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
- Department of Clinical Rehabilitation, University School of Physical Education in Krakow, Poland
- Institute of Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
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Abstract
Although Parkinson disease (PD) patients suffer falls more frequently than other old people, only a few studies have focused on identifying the specific risk factors for falls in PD patients. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and risk factors of falls in a prospective study in comparison to a control group.
Material and methodsOne hundred patients with PD were recruited to the study along with 55 gender- and age-matched healthy controls. Both groups were examined twice; the second examination took place one year after the first one. Examination of the PD group included: medical history including falls, neurological examination, assessment of the severity of parkinsonism [Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Schwab and England scale (S&E), Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)], Hamilton scale and quality of life scales (SF-36, EQ-5D) and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q). In both groups falls were recorded over the 12 months. Frequent fallers are defined as having more than 3 falls a year.
ResultsOver the year falls occurred in 54% of PD patients and 18% of controls. In a prospective study 28% of PD patients fell more frequently than in retrospective analysis. Frequent fallers were found in 20% of patients and in 7% of controls. Fallers showed higher scores in UPDRS, H&Y, S&E, MMSE, and Hamilton scale than non-fallers. Independent risk factors for falls were: age, previously reported falls and higher score in the FOG-Q.
ConclusionsFalls in PD patients occurred three times more frequently than in controls. Independent risk factors for falls were: high score in FOG-Q, older age and presence of falls in medical history.
Abstract
Although Parkinson disease (PD) patients suffer falls more frequently than other old people, only a few studies have focused on identifying the specific risk factors for falls in PD patients. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and risk factors of falls in a prospective study in comparison to a control group.
Material and methodsOne hundred patients with PD were recruited to the study along with 55 gender- and age-matched healthy controls. Both groups were examined twice; the second examination took place one year after the first one. Examination of the PD group included: medical history including falls, neurological examination, assessment of the severity of parkinsonism [Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Schwab and England scale (S&E), Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)], Hamilton scale and quality of life scales (SF-36, EQ-5D) and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q). In both groups falls were recorded over the 12 months. Frequent fallers are defined as having more than 3 falls a year.
ResultsOver the year falls occurred in 54% of PD patients and 18% of controls. In a prospective study 28% of PD patients fell more frequently than in retrospective analysis. Frequent fallers were found in 20% of patients and in 7% of controls. Fallers showed higher scores in UPDRS, H&Y, S&E, MMSE, and Hamilton scale than non-fallers. Independent risk factors for falls were: age, previously reported falls and higher score in the FOG-Q.
ConclusionsFalls in PD patients occurred three times more frequently than in controls. Independent risk factors for falls were: high score in FOG-Q, older age and presence of falls in medical history.
Keywords
falls, Parkinson disease, risk factors, prospective observation
About this articleTitle
The incidence and risk factors of falls in Parkinson disease: prospective study
Journal
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska
Issue
Pages
431-437
Page views
499
Article views/downloads
666
DOI
10.5114/ninp.2013.38223
Bibliographic record
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2013;47(5):431-437.
Keywords
falls
Parkinson disease
risk factors
prospective observation
Authors
Monika Rudzińska
Sylwia Bukowczan
Joanna Stożek
Katarzyna Zajdel
Elżbieta Mirek
Wiesław Chwała
Magdalena Wójcik-Pędziwiatr
Krzysztof Banaszkiewicz
Andrzej Szczudlik
