title: Relationship of depression and medications on incidence of falls among people with late effects of polio.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine if falls in polio survivors, with or without post-polio syndrome (PPS), are related to number of medications taken, use of anti-depressant or psychoactive medications, or self-report of depression. A survey was sent to 300 members of a regional polio support group, asking them to document their fall history, medications used, and the presence of depression. Depression was measured by self-report and with the Geriatric Depression Scale, short form (GDS-15). One hundred and seventy-two usable surveys were returned with 146 of those completing the medication list. Sixty-two percent reported at least one fall in the past year. The multiple logistic regression was significant (p = 0.023), and it indicated depression to be a significant predictor (p = 0.012) of falls in polio survivors with and without PPS. The number of total medications or anti-depressant or psychoactive medications used was not related to fall incidence. Routine screening and treatment for depression may be one aspect of fall prevention which can be implemented through primary care.
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical Therapy , Texas Woman's University , Houston , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Carolyn P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.affiliation: b RehabCare , Park Manor Skilled Nursing Facility , Humble , TX , USA.|c Department of Rehabilitation , Deerbrook Skilled Nursing Facility , Humble , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zuckerman
authors.affiliation: d Department of Clinical Psychology , Alliant International University , San Francisco , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Rhoda
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olkin
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D019338:Polypharmacy; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: Depression; falls; late effects of polio; post-poliomyelitis syndrome