title: Fall attributions among middle-aged and older adults with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To (1) explore the falls attributions of middle-aged and older adults with multiple sclerosis (MS); and (2) examine the personal, health, and MS-related factors associated with the 3 most common attributions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, descriptive study using data collected through a telephone interview. Falls attributions were obtained through an open-ended question to elicit participants' stories about their most recent fall. Recruitment was done through a national volunteer MS registry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community.
  
  
  METHODS
  People (N=354) who were ≥55 years of age were interviewed; 313 provided a falls story. Respondents were primarily married, community-dwelling women who had been living with MS for 21 years, on average.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 3 most common fall attributions were used as dependent variables to address the second research objective.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 14 falls attributions were identified. The most common were balance (41.5%), lower extremity malfunction (31%), and assistive technology (AT; 29.7%). Falls control was significantly associated with the balance attribution (odds ratio [OR]=.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], .29-.88), no variables were associated with lower extremity malfunction attribution, and use of multiple mobility devices was significantly associated with the AT attribution (OR=3.78; 95% CI, 2.09-6.85).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings highlight the complex nature of falls among middle-aged and older adults with MS and point to the need for comprehensive fall prevention interventions for this population. Further investigation of the role that perceived control over falls plays in this population is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Eynat
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ben Ari
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asano
authors.forename: Marcia L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Finlayson
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D004856:Postural Balance; D012656:Self-Help Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D016138:Walking