title: [Value of fall-risk tests for patients with rheumatoid arthritis].
abstract: The aim of the study was to quickly and efficiently determine the risk of falling in patients with rheumatoid arthritis over the age of 46 with established methods, to discover parameters which influence the risk of falling and fractures. The study group consisted of 67 patients (median age 69±7.4 years, duration of disease <10 years 71%).With the help of the present data on fractures the performance of the chair-rising (CR) test, the timed up-and-go (TUG) test and the tandem stand (TS) test plus determination of the average daily and cumulative glucocorticoid (GC) dosage, it was possible to detect parameters which influence the risk of falling and fractures.Higher age (>60 years), overweight, deficits in muscle strength in the lower extremities and very low GC dosage (≤5 mg) were found to be associated with an increased risk of falling, which is accompanied by an increased risk of fractures.
authors.affiliation: Klinik f. Innere Medizin I, Klinikum Südstadt Rostock, Südring 81, Rostock, Germany. hans-christof.schober@kliniksued-rostock.de
authors.forename: H-C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Schober
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maass
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maass
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Reisinger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schröder
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kneitz
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D010809:Physical Fitness; D018570:Risk Assessment
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids