Circumstances and consequences of falls among people with chronic stroke

Falls are common after stroke; however, circumstances and consequences are relatively unknown. Our objectives were to identify the differences between fallers and non-fallers among people with chronic stroke, identify the circumstances of fall events, and examine the consequences of the falls. This...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of rehabilitation research and development 2013-01, Vol.50 (9), p.1277-1286
Main Authors: Schmid, Arlene A, Yaggi, H Klar, Burrus, Nicholas, McClain, Vincent, Austin, Charles, Ferguson, Jared, Fragoso, Carlos, Sico, Jason J, Miech, Edward J, Matthias, Marianne S, Williams, Linda S, Bravata, Dawn M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accidental Falls - prevention & control
Accidental Falls - statistics & numerical data
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Anxiety
Blood pressure
Comorbidity
Falls (Accidents)
Female
Humans
Hypertension
Injuries
Male
Middle Aged
Mortality
Older people
Patient outcomes
Prevention
Risk factors
Sleep apnea
Sleep disorders
Stroke
Stroke - epidemiology
Stroke patients
Studies
Veterans
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Summary:Falls are common after stroke; however, circumstances and consequences are relatively unknown. Our objectives were to identify the differences between fallers and non-fallers among people with chronic stroke, identify the circumstances of fall events, and examine the consequences of the falls. This is a secondary data analysis; all participants included sustained a stroke. Variables included demographics, stroke characteristics, and comorbidities. Falls were collected via self-report, and circumstances and consequences were derived from participant description of the event and categorized as appropriate. Among 160 participants, 53 (33%) reported a fall during the 1 yr period. Circumstances of falls were categorized as intrinsic or extrinsic. Location and circumstance of the fall were included: 70% occurred at home and 40% were associated with impaired physical or mental state (e.g., inattention to tying shoes). Additionally, 21% of falls were associated with activities of daily living and mobility and 34% with slips or trips. The majority who fell sustained an injury (72%). Injuries ranged from bruising to fractures, and 55% of those with an injury sought medical care (32% to emergency department). Poststroke falls are associated with an alarming rate of injury and healthcare utilization. Targeting mental and physical states may be key to fall prevention.
ISSN:0748-7711
1938-1352
DOI:10.1682/JRRD.2012.11.0215