ABSTRACT

To investigate the prevalence of recurrent falls in patients who are being followed up in Movement Disorder Outpatient Clinic, demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with recurrent falls, and relative accuracy of balance assessment for prediction of falls prospectively within 1 year.

The patients who were admitted to Movement Disorder Outpatient Clinic due to idiopathic Parkinson’s disease were consecutively included in the study. Demographic data and disease characteristics of the patients were recorded. Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, Five Times Sit-To-Stand Test and Timed Up and Go Test were used for assessment of balance. Subsequently, the patients and/or their relatives were asked to fill out fall diaries for 1 year.

At the end of one year, at least one fall was detected in 47 (46.1%) and recurrent falls were detected in 35 (34.3%) out of 102 patients. The patients who had recurrent falls had a longer duration of disease, were using higher doses of levodopa and had higher disease severity according to Hoehn &Yahr staging and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. These patients obtained lower scores in Functional Reach Test, Five Times Sit-To-Stand Test, Timed Up and Go Test and Berg Balance Scale. According to Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, Functional Reach Test had maximum specificity and sensitivity for prediction of falls followed by Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test and Five Times Sit-To-Stand Test.

Recurrent falls have been found in approximately one-third of the patients with Parkinson’s disease. Disease progression had a negative effect on falls. While the Functional Reach Test is the most appropriate test for prediction of fall risk, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test and Five Times Sit-To-Stand Test were also shown to be useful. Prediction of fall risk may positively influence quality of life through preventing complications.

Keywords: Parkinson’s Disease, Recurrent Falls, Balance Assessments