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 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.
Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523. arlene.schmid@colostate.edu.
Arlene A
AA
Schmid
H Klar
HK
Yaggi
Nicholas
N
Burrus
Vincent
V
McClain
Charles
C
Austin
Jared
J
Ferguson
Carlos
C
Fragoso
Jason J
JJ
Sico
Edward J
EJ
Miech
Marianne S
MS
Matthias
Linda S
LS
Williams
Dawn M
DM
Bravata
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology*
activities of daily living; circumstances; consequences; disability; emergency; falls; injury; mobility; rehabilitation; stroke