Falls Among Individuals With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: An Observational Study

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is thought to accelerate the aging process. However, there is limited research on geriatric syndromes, such as falls, in this potentially vulnerable population. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of and contributors to falls in the SLE population.

Participants were recruited from an ongoing population-based cohort of individuals with validated SLE. Falls (number of falls and fall-related injuries requiring medical attention over the past year) and perceived contributing factors were self-reported. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and age-, sex-, and race-adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of participant characteristics with falls were estimated using multivariable logistic regression.

Nearly one-third (30.7%) of participants (overall N = 447; 40.9% aged ≥50 years, 91.7% female, and 82.6% Black) reported falling in the past year; 19.2% fell twice or more. Loss of balance (78.1% of falls), slipping/tripping (64.2%), and weakness (53.3%) were the most commonly reported contributing factors. Age and sex were not associated with falls, but higher physical performance (aOR, 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.87) was associated with lower odds of falls. Higher SLE activity (aOR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.44-2.21) and damage (aOR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.00-1.49), greater depressive symptoms (aOR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.14,1-80), and taking fall risk-increasing drugs (antidepressants: aOR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.13-2.93; pain medications: aOR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.68-4.00; opioids: aOR, 4.52; 95% CI, 2.39-8.56) were associated with higher odds of falls.

Falls were common in our cohort, regardless of age. Our results suggest potential interventions for reducing falls, like better control of SLE, physical therapy, depression screening, and medication review.