title: Factors Associated With Recurrent Falls in Individuals With Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Multicenter Study.
abstract: To identify factors associated with recurrent falls in individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).
  
  
  
  Cross-sectional multicenter study.
  
  
  
  Two specialized rehabilitation centers.
  
  
  
  Included: individuals with traumatic SCI ≥1 year postinjury who were aged ≥18 years. Excluded: individuals with motor complete injuries above C5 or below L5. The study sample comprised participants (N=224; 151 wheelchair users, 73 ambulatory; 77% men; mean age ± SD, 50±15y; median time since injury, 15y [range, 1-56y]) who were consecutively recruited at regular follow-up.
  
  
  
  Not applicable.
  
  
  
  Primary outcome was factors associated with recurrent falls (defined as low frequent [0-2] or recurrent [>2]) the previous year. Independent variables were demographic data, wheelchair user or ambulatory, work, health-related quality of life, risk willingness, alcohol consumption, ability to get up from the ground, and exercise habits.
  
  
  
  Fifty percent reported recurrent falls. In the final multiple logistic regression model, ambulation (odds ratio [OR]=2.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33-5.37), ability to get up from the ground (OR=2.22; 95% CI, 1.21-4.10), and regular exercise (OR=1.86; 95% CI, 1.05-3.31) were associated with recurrent falls (P≤.05), and with increasing age the OR decreased (OR=.97; 95% CI, .95-.99).
  
  
  
  Individuals with SCI should be considered at risk of recurrent falls, and thereby at risk of fall-related injuries. Fall prevention programs should be focused on ambulatory, younger, and more active individuals who had the highest risks for recurrent falls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway.
authors.forename: Vivien
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden; Rehab Station Stockholm/Spinalis Research and Development Unit, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: emelie.butler.forslund@rehabstation.se.
authors.forename: Emelie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Butler Forslund
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway; Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Franzén
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway.
authors.forename: Arve
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Opheim
authors.affiliation: Rehab Station Stockholm/Spinalis Research and Development Unit, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurodegeneration, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Åke
authors.initials: Å
authors.lastname: Seiger
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway; Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ståhle
authors.affiliation: Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurodegeneration, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Claes
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hultling
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway; Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Johan K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Stanghelle
authors.affiliation: Rehab Station Stockholm/Spinalis Research and Development Unit, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurodegeneration, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wahman
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Karolinska Institutet, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden; Rehab Station Stockholm/Spinalis Research and Development Unit, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kirsti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skavberg Roaldsen
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004777:Environment; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014910:Wheelchairs
keywords: Accidental falls; Rehabilitation; Risk factors; Spinal cord injuries; Walking; Wheelchairs