Article

This study aimed to investigate incidence of falls and different
baseline variables and their association with falling during hospitalization in a
stroke unit among patients with acute stroke. DESIGN: Prospective observational
study. SETTING: A stroke unit at a university hospital. SUBJECTS: A consecutive
sample of stroke patients, out of which 504 were included, while 101 declined
participation. METHODS: The patients were assessed a mean of 1.7 days after
admission and 3.8 days after stroke onset. MAIN MEASURES: The primary end-point
was any fall, from admission to the stroke unit to discharge. Factors associated
with falling were analysed using univariable and multivariable Cox hazard
regression analyses. Independent variables were related to function, activity and
participation, as well as personal and environmental factors. RESULTS: In total,
65 patients (13%) fell at least once. Factors statistically significantly
associated with falling in the multivariable analysis were male sex (hazard ratio
(HR): 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-3.14, P = 0.015), use of a walking
aid (HR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.24-3.60, P = 0.006) and postural control as assessed
with the modified version of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients
(SwePASS). No association was found with age, cognition or stroke severity, the
HR for low SwePASS scores (24) was 9.33 (95% CI: 2.19-39.78, P = 0.003) and for
medium SwePASS scores (25-30) was 6.34 (95% CI: 1.46-27.51, P = 0.014), compared
with high SwePASS scores (31). CONCLUSION: Postural control, male sex and use of
a walking aid are associated with falling during hospitalization after acute stroke.
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Langue : ANGLAIS