@article{ref1,
title="Fear-of-falling and associated risk factors in persons with rheumatoid arthritis: a 1 year prospective study",
journal="BMC musculoskeletal disorders",
year="2021",
author="Stanmore, Emma K. and Oldham, Jackie and Skelton, Dawn A. and O'Neill, Terence and Pilling, Mark and Todd, Chris",
volume="22",
number="1",
pages="e260-e260",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Falls, associated injuries and fear-of-falling are common in adults with RA. Fear-of-falling can be a major consequence of, and as debilitating as falling, resulting in a cycle of activity restriction, reduced quality of life, institutionalisation and potentially increase risk of falls. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between fear-of-falling and risk factors associated with fear-of-falling in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over a 1 year period. <br><br>METHODS: Five hundred fifty-nine patients with RA were recruited from four outpatient clinics in this prospective cohort study. Baseline assessments included socio-demographic, medical and lifestyle related risk factors. Fall incidence was prospectively obtained monthly using postal cards over a 1 year period. Fear-of-falling was assessed at baseline and 1 year using the Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International (Short FES-I). Logistic regression was used to determine the association between high fear-of-falling (Short FES-I > 11) at baseline (outcome) and a range of putative predictor variables including previous falls, and also baseline factors associated with a high fear-of-falling at follow-up. <br><br>RESULTS: Five hundred thirty-five (ninety-six percent) participants (mean age 62.1 yrs.; 18-88 yrs) completed 1 year follow-up and of these, 254 (47%) completed the Short FES-I questionnaire at 1 year. In a multivariate model, a history of multiple falls (OR = 6.08) higher HAQ score (OR = 4.87) and increased time to complete the Chair Stand Test (OR = 1.11) were found to be independent predictors of high fear-of-falling and had an overall classification rate of 87.7%. There were no significant differences found in fear-of-falling at 1 year follow-up in those who reported falls during the study, participant's baseline fear appeared to predict future fear, regardless of further falls. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Fear-of-falling is significantly associated with previous falls and predictive of future falls and fear. RA patients would benefit from fall prevention measures whether or not they have previously fallen.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1471-2474",
doi="10.1186/s12891-021-04068-0",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12891-021-04068-0"
}