Citation

Pieper B, Templin TN, Goldberg A, Dinardo E, Wells M. J. Addict. Med. 2013; 7(1): 73-78.

Affiliation

From the College of Nursing (BP, TNT), Wayne State University, Detroit, MI; Department of Health Care Sciences (AG), Physical Therapy Program, Mobility Research Laboratory, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI; John D. Dingell VA Medical Center (EDN), Detroit, MI; and 4A University Health Center (MW), Detroit Receiving Hospital, Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Publisher Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/ADM.0b013e31827ea882

PMID

23296202

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:: With aging of injection users and the high occurrence of venous disease in their legs, falls are a potential health problem. We examined falls and balance confidence in persons with (VU+) and without (VU-) injection-related venous ulcers (VUs). METHODS:: This study used a cross-sectional, retrospective, comparative design with 31 participants VU+ and 30 VU- recruited in a medical clinic. Participants' legs were assessed for clinical manifestations of venous disease. Participants completed background and fall questionnaires and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale. RESULTS:: Participants included 35 men and 26 women (mean age = 54 years); 93% were African American. Falling in the past year was reported by 65% of patients VU+ and 40% VU- (P = 0.048); 29 of these patients fell 2 or more times in the past year. Higher scores on the ABC Scale (N = 61) were significantly related to fewer falls (r = -0.68). Activities-specific Balance Confidence scores were lower/worse for the patients VU+ (P = 0.039). Area under the receiver operating curve for patients VU+ was significant; we found area under the curve of 0.84 and a cutoff score of 80.3% for ABC predictive of recurrent fallers with sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 83%. The ABC test had an internal consistency reliability of 0.97. CONCLUSIONS:: Persons VU+ reported worse balance confidence and more falls than those without these ulcers. The ABC test was related to falls. With aging of injection users and increased occurrence of VUs, examining balance confidence and falls is crucial in long-term patient safety.

Language: en