title: Frequency and circumstances of falls in people with inclusion body myositis: a questionnaire survey to explore falls management and physiotherapy provision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To survey the incidence and circumstances of falls for people with inclusion body myositis (IBM) in the UK, and to investigate the provision of physiotherapy and falls management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postal questionnaire survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed questionnaires at home.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-four people diagnosed with IBM were screened against the inclusion criteria. Seventy-two potential participants were sent a questionnaire, and 62 were completed and returned. Invited participants were sent an adapted Falls Event Questionnaire pertaining to falls, perceived causes of falls and the provision of physiotherapy. Questionnaires were returned anonymously.
  
  
  METHODS
  The proportions of respondents who reported a fall or a near fall, along with the frequencies of falls and near falls were calculated. Descriptive data of falls were collected pertaining to location and cause. Data analysis was performed to investigate provision of physiotherapy services.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 86% [62/72, mean (standard deviation) age 68 (8) years]. Falls were reported by 98% (61/62) of respondents, with 60% (37/62) falling frequently. In this study, age was not found to be an indicator of falls risk or frequency. Twenty-one percent (13/62) of respondents had not seen a physiotherapist in relation to their IBM symptoms, and of those that had, 31% (15/49) had not seen a physiotherapist until more than 12 months after IBM was diagnosed. Only 18% (11/61) of fallers reported that they had received falls management input.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Falls are a common occurrence for people with IBM, independent of age and years since symptoms first presented, and are poorly addressed by appropriate physiotherapy management. National falls guidelines are not being followed, and referral rates to physiotherapy need to improve.
authors: MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Hiscock
authors: MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dewar
authors: MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Parton
authors: MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Machado
authors: MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hanna
authors: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, St George's University of London/Kingston University, London, UK. Electronic address: G.Ramdharry@sgul.kingston.ac.uk.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Ramdharry
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018979:Myositis, Inclusion Body / Q000150:complications* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Falls; Falls management; Inclusion body myositis; National falls guidelines; Neuromuscular disease; Physiotherapy