@article{ref1,
title="Risk factors for falls in HIV-infected persons",
journal="Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes",
year="2012",
author="Erlandson, Kristine M. and Allshouse, Amanda A. and Jankowski, Catherine M. and Duong, Syki and Mawhinney, Samantha and Kohrt, Wendy M. and Campbell, Thomas B.",
volume="61",
number="4",
pages="484-489",
abstract="BACKGROUND: : The incidence of and risk factors for falls in HIV-1-infected persons are unknown. METHODS: : Fall history during the prior 12 months, medical diagnoses, and functional assessments were collected on HIV-infected persons 45-65 years of age receiving effective antiretroviral therapy. Fall risk was evaluated using univariate and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: : Of 359 subjects, 250 persons (70%) reported no falls, 109 (30%) had ≥1 fall; and 66 (18%) were recurrent fallers. Females, whites, and smokers were more likely to be recurrent fallers (P ≤ 0.05). HIV-related characteristics including current and nadir CD4 T-cell count, estimated HIV duration, and Veterans Aging Cohort Study Index scores were not predictors of falls (all P ≥ 0.09); didanosine recipients were more likely to be recurrent fallers (P = 0.04). The odds of falling increased 1.7 for each comorbidity and 1.4 for each medication (P < 0.001) and were higher in persons with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dementia, neuropathy, arthritis, chronic pain, psychiatric disease, frailty, or disability [all odds ratio (OR) ≥ 1.8; P ≤ 0.05]. Beta-blockers, antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives, and opiates were independently associated with falling (all OR ≥ 2.7; P ≤ 0.01). Female gender, diabetes, antidepressants, sedatives, opiates, didanosine, exhaustion, weight loss, and difficulty with balance were the most significant predictors of falls in logistic regression (all OR ≥ 2.5; P ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: : Middle-aged HIV-infected adults have high fall risk. Multiple comorbidities, medications, and functional impairment were predictive of falls, but surrogate markers of HIV infection or an HIV-specific multimorbidity index were not. Fall risk should be assessed routinely as part of the care of HIV-infected persons.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1525-4135",
doi="10.1097/QAI.0b013e3182716e38",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0b013e3182716e38"
}