Citation

Cheng KY, Lin WC, Chang WN, Lin TK, Tsai NW, Huang CC, Wang HC, Huang YC, Chang HW, Lin YJ, Lee LH, Cheng BC, Kung CT, Chang YT, Su CM, Chiang YF, Su YJ, Lu CH. Parkinsonism Relat. Disord. 2014; 20(1): 88-92.

Affiliation

Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.parkreldis.2013.09.024

PMID

24134900

Abstract

PURPOSE: Fall-related fracture is one of the most disabling features of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD). A better understanding of the associated factors is needed to predict PD patients who will require treatment. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 100 adult idiopathic PD patients. Stepwise logistic regressions were used to evaluate the relationships between clinical factors and fall-related fracture. RESULTS: Falls occurred in 56 PD patients, including 32 with fall-related fractures. The rate of falls in the study period was 2.2 ± 1.4 per 18 months. The percentage of osteoporosis was 34% (19/56) and 11% in PD patients with and without falls, respectively. Risk factors associated with fall-related fracture were sex, underlying knee osteoarthritis, mean Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score, mean Morse fall scale, mean Hoehn and Yahr stage, and exercise habit. By stepwise logistic regression, sex and mean Morse fall scale were independently associated with fall-related fracture. Females had an odds ratio of 3.8 compared to males and the cut-off value of the Morse fall scale for predicting fall-related fracture was 72.5 (sensitivity 72% and specificity 70%). DISCUSSION: Higher mean Morse fall scales (>72.5) and female sex are associated with higher risk of fall-related fractures. Preventing falls in the high-risk PD group is an important safety issue and highly relevant for their quality of life.

Language: en