RESEARCH - Occurrence and Risk Factors for Falls in RA

April 17, 2005

Ann Rheum Dis. 2005 Apr 7; [Epub ahead of print]

Occurrence and Risk Factors for Falls in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Armstrong C, Swarbrick CM, Pye SR, O'neill TW.

Hope Hospital, United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVES: There are few data concerning the occurrence of falls in

patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this analysis was to

determine the one-year period prevalence of falls by age and gender in

patients with RA and to determine the influence of concurrent medical

therapy and disability on the occurrence of falls in this group. METHODS: A

consecutive series of RA patients aged 35 years and over, attending hospital

out-patient clinics at Hope hospital, Salford, were asked to complete an

interview-assisted questionnaire which asked about the occurrence and number

of falls in the previous 12 months. SUBJECTS: who took part were asked

about, current therapy with anti-hypertensives, diuretics, sedatives or

hypnotics, antidepressants, and a history of previous hip / knee surgery.

They also completed the health assessment questionnaire. Logistic regression

was used to determine the association between these variables and falls in

the previous 12 months. RESULTS: 253 men and women, mean age 62 years, were

studied. 84 (33%) subjects reported falling in the previous year. Of these

52% had fallen on more than one occasion. 36% of women and 26% of men

reported a fall in the previous year. There was no important increase in the

frequency of falls with age. After adjusting for age and gender, those who

had fallen in the previous year were more likely to report taking

antidepressant therapy (OR=2.09), and to have impairment in both walking

(OR=1.37) and rising (OR=1.41). HAQ score was higher in those who reported a

fall than those who did not though the difference was not statistically

significant.

Summary: In this hospital-based survey, one in three RA patients reported

falling in the previous 12 months. Falls were associated with self reported

impairment in lower limb function.

PMID: 15817660

5817660 & dopt=Abstract

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

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