Factors Involved in the Risk of Falls in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-control Study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly impairs mobility and quality of life in people with MS (pwMS).
• Musculoskeletal involvement in MS leads to increased fall risk and disability.
• Understanding fall risk factors is crucial for intervention in pwMS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess fall risk using the Downton scale in pwMS.
• To investigate the association between spasticity and fall risk in pwMS.
• To compare fall risk and related factors between pwMS and healthy individuals.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional observational study.
• Inclusion of 86 participants: 41 with MS (cases) and 45 healthy controls.
• Utilized the Spanish version of the Downton Scale to assess fall risk.

Main Results:

• PwMS demonstrated significantly higher fall risk (mean score 2.37) compared to controls (mean score 0.44).
• Spasticity showed a notable association with increased fall risk in pwMS.
• Significant differences in disability and barriers were observed across Downton Scale dimensions.

Conclusions:

• Spasticity is a key factor increasing fall risk in pwMS.
• The Downton scale is a valuable tool for identifying high-risk individuals.
• Future research should focus on diverse samples and comparisons with other neurological conditions.