@article{ref1,
title="Factors associated with recurrent falls in individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury - a multi-center study",
journal="Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation",
year="2016",
author="Jørgensen, Vivien and Forslund, Emelie Butler and Franzén, Erika and Opheim, Arve and Seiger, Åke and Ståhle, Agneta and Hultling, Claes and Stanghelle, Johan K. and Wahman, Kerstin and Roaldsen, Kirsti Skavberg",
volume="97",
number="11",
pages="1908-1916",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with recurrent falls in individuals with traumatic SCI. <br><br>DESIGN: Cross-sectional multi-center study. SETTING: Two specialized Rehabilitation Centers in Europe PARTICIPANTS: Included: individuals with traumatic SCI ≥1 year post-injury, ≥ 18 years of age. Excluded: individuals with motor complete injuries above C5 or below L5. Participants were consecutively recruited at regular follow-up. Totally 224 individuals (151 wheelchair users, 73 ambulatory), 77% men, mean age 50 (SD 15) years, median 15 (range 1-56) years since injury were included. 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. <br><br>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≤0.05), and with increasing age the OR decreased (OR= 0.97, 95% CI= 0.95-0.99). <br><br>CONCLUSION: 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.<br><br>Copyright © 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0003-9993",
doi="10.1016/j.apmr.2016.04.024",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2016.04.024"
}