%0 Journal Article
%T Risk factors for falls in individuals with lower extremity amputations during the pre-prosthetic phase: a retrospective cohort study
%J PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation
%D 2019
%A Vu, Kimberly
%A Payne, Michael W. C.
%A Hunter, Susan W.
%A Viana, Ricardo
%V 11
%N 8
%P 828-833
%X BACKGROUND: Falls in individuals with lower limb amputations (LLAs) pose significant health concerns. The literature is limited regarding falls during the preprosthetic phase of rehabilitation for persons with LLAs. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of falls and identify factors associated with falls during the preprosthetic recovery phase. <br><br>DESIGN: Retrospective chart audit. SETTING: Inpatient rehabilitation program. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred forty individuals with LLAs (age ± SD = 61.93 ± 14.53 years, 73.18% male) who attended inpatient rehabilitation from 26 July 2011 to 21 August 2017. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The number of self-reported falls was recorded from the time of surgery to admission for inpatient rehabilitation. Outcomes of interest were any fall (1+ fall) and recurrent falls (2+ falls). A retrospective chart audit was performed on consecutive admissions to an inpatient rehabilitation program. <br><br>RESULTS: The incidence of falls was 8.37 per 1000 patient-days. Falls were sustained by 60.9% of the sample. Unilateral transtibial amputation was independently associated with an increased risk of recurrent falls (relative risk [RR] 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-2.23, P = .008). Diabetes mellitus was independently associated with an increased risk of any fall (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-.38, P = .03). Finally, bilateral transtibial amputation was independently associated with a reduced risk of any fall (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.90, P = .014). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Consistent with the current literature, diabetes mellitus and a unilateral transtibial amputation were risk factors for falling, whereas a bilateral transtibial amputation and increasing age presented new findings as factors associated with decreased falling. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.<br><br>© 2018 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I Elsevier Publishing
%@ 1934-1482
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.12046