Falls in people with multiple sclerosis compared with falls in healthy controls

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Gerontology
• Public Health

Background:

• Falls represent a significant health concern, particularly for individuals with neurological conditions.
• Understanding fall dynamics in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the incidence, circumstances, consequences, and causes of falls between PwMS and age- and gender-matched healthy controls.
• To identify distinct risk factors and fall patterns in PwMS.

Main Methods:

• A 6-month prospective cohort study involving 58 PwMS and 58 healthy controls.
• Participants prospectively recorded falls using calendars, noting location, injuries, and causes.
• Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests.

Main Results:

• 71.2% of PwMS and 40.8% of controls experienced at least one fall; 48.1% of PwMS had recurrent falls versus 18.4% of controls.
• PwMS were more likely to sustain fall-related injuries (42.3% vs 20.4%).
• Falls in PwMS occurred equally indoors and outdoors, often due to distraction, fatigue, or heat, while controls predominantly fell outdoors due to slipping.

Conclusions:

• PwMS face a substantially higher risk of falls and fall-related injuries compared to healthy individuals.
• Fall causes differ significantly, with PwMS attributing falls to internal factors (distraction, fatigue, heat) and controls to external factors (slipping).
• These findings highlight the need for tailored fall prevention interventions for PwMS, addressing unique risk factors and indoor fall prevalence.