title: Prevalence of falls in fibromyalgia patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the risk of falls in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and normal controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 60 FM, 60 RA patients and 60 controls for fall frequency in one week, one month, six months and one year. Patients were submitted to body mass index determination and balance evaluation through the Berg scale. Data on disease impact and depression were collected in FM patients through the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Beck Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FM patients had a higher frequency of falls than RA patients and control individuals in one month (p<0.0001), in six months (p<0.0001) and in one year (p<0.0001). No relationship was found between falls and body mass index, pain or depression scores. Falls in 12 months were associated with higher FIQ values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FM patients fall more often than RA patients and control individuals.
authors: 1. Physiotherapy Unit, Escola Dom Bosco, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, 1. Physiotherapy Unit, Escola Dom Bosco, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, Escola Dom Bosco, Physiotherapy Unit, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors: Sandra Adolph
authors: SA
authors: Meireles
authors: 2. Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Universitário Evangélico, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, 2. Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Universitário Evangélico, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, Hospital Universitário Evangélico, Rheumatology Unit, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors: Daniel Casagrande
authors: DC
authors: Antero
authors: 1. Physiotherapy Unit, Escola Dom Bosco, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, 1. Physiotherapy Unit, Escola Dom Bosco, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, Escola Dom Bosco, Physiotherapy Unit, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors: Marciane Maria
authors: MM
authors: Kulczycki
authors: 2. Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Universitário Evangélico, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, 2. Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Universitário Evangélico, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, Hospital Universitário Evangélico, Rheumatology Unit, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
authors: Thelma Larocca
authors: TL
authors: Skare
keywords: Accidental falls; Fibromyalgia; Postural balance