Falls in Korean Polio Survivors: Incidence, Consequences, and Risk Factors.
10.3346/jkms.2016.31.2.301
- Author:
Ki Yeun NAM
1
;
Seungyeol LEE
;
Eun Joo YANG
;
Keewon KIM
;
Se Hee JUNG
;
Soong Nang JANG
;
Soo Jeong HAN
;
Wan Ho KIM
;
Jae Young LIM
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Dongguk University Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Poliomyelitis;
Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome;
Survivors;
Accidental Falls;
Risk Factors
- MeSH:
Accidental Falls/*statistics & numerical data;
Adult;
Aged;
Aged, 80 and over;
Asian Continental Ancestry Group;
Female;
Fractures, Bone/etiology;
Humans;
Incidence;
Interviews as Topic;
Logistic Models;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome/*pathology;
Postural Balance;
Republic of Korea;
Risk Factors;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Telephone;
Young Adult
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2016;31(2):301-309
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Falls and fall-related injuries are important issue among polio survivors. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of, and consequences and factors associated with falls among Korean polio survivors. A total of 317 polio survivors participated in this study. All participants completed a questionnaire including fall history, symptoms related to post-polio syndrome and other information through a telephone interview. Among them, 80 participants visited our clinic for additional physical measurements and tests. Of the 317 respondents, 68.5% reported at least one fall in the past year. Of the fallers, 42.5% experienced at least one fall during one month. Most falls occurred during ambulation (76.6%), outside (75.2%) and by slipping down (29.7%). Of fallers, 45% reported any injuries caused by falls, and 23.3% reported fractures specifically. Female sex, old age, low bone mineral density, the presence of symptoms related to post-polio syndrome (PPS), poor balance confidence, short physical performance battery and weak muscle strength of knee extensor were not significantly associated with falls. Only leg-length discrepancy using spine-malleolar distance (SMD) was a significant factor associated with falls among Korean polio survivors. Our findings suggest that malalignment between the paralytic and non-paralytic limb length should be addressed in polio survivors for preventing falls.
