title: Risk factors for frequent falls in people with Parkinson's disease.
abstract: Fall frequency varies among individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to determine whether risk factors that distinguish PD fallers from non-fallers are influenced by frequent falls. 205 people with PD participated in a 6-month prospective study. Factors in previously published fall risk models were analyzed for their associations with fall rates and frequent fallers. Fall history, freezing and impaired reactive balance were associated with fall rates and the proportion of frequent fallers (p < 0.05). These models were highly accurate in discriminating frequent fallers (area under curve 0.84-0.87). Interventions to manage freezing and reduce balance impairment may reduce fall frequency.
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Serene S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Natalie E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Cathie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sherrington
authors.affiliation: Statistics Department, Faculty of Science, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.affiliation: Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Victor S C
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Fung
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Australia, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia Prince of Wales Clinical School, UNSW, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Jacqueline C T
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Close
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Australia, UNSW, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Colleen G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Canning
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D019540:Area Under Curve; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Parkinson disease; accidental falls; postural balance; risk factors