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Published on: September 18, 2020
Stability and Falls Evaluations in AMPutees (SAFE-AMP 2): Reduced functional mobility is associated with a history of
Taavy A Miller1, Rajib Paul2, Melinda Forthofer2
1Hanger Institute for Clinical Research and Education, 10910 Domain Dr. #300 Austin, TX, 78758 USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28223 USA.
Background:
Injurious falls have a high cost and economic impact on an individual and the health system. Several studies have assessed performance-based functional mobility in lower limb prosthesis (LLP) users and fall risk including fall history. However, limited data exist regarding the relationship between functional mobility and a history of injurious falls in individuals who use a LLP. Such information could inform clinical practice and decision making from prosthesis design to policy. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with a history of injurious falls among LLP users using a clinical outcomes database.
Methods:
Retrospective (2016-2018) observational study. Logistic regression applied.
Results:
A final sample of 12,044 LLP users was included for analysis. Within the sample, 1,529 individuals reported a history of an injurious fall within the previous 6 months. Self-reported functional mobility was stratified into low, middle, and high levels: differences were found between levels for history of an injurious fall. The lowest mobility level was associated with 2.29 higher odds of a history of an injurious fall (95% CI: 1.96-2.69) indicating a potentially greater serious fall risk compared to those with higher mobility levels while controlling for covariates (sex, cause of amputation and level of amputation).
Conclusion(S):
Self-reported functional mobility was associated with a history of injurious falls in LLP users. The Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility is an accessible tool that prosthetists could use to identify individuals with a high risk of falls; this can inform care planning. Rehabilitation plans and prosthesis designs that target LLP users who report low functional mobility may positively impact health outcomes.
