RESEARCH REPORT POSTER DISPLAY

FALLS AND FALL RISK IN OLDER ADULTS WITH HIP OSTEOARTHRITIS. Arnold C, Faulkner R; University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

PURPOSE: To determine fall risk, fall history, and circumstances of falls in older adults with hip osteoarthritis (OA). RELEVANCE: It is recognized that pain, loss of range of motion and reduced strength,associated with hip osteoarthritis, may increase fall risk. PARTICIPANTS: Men and women recruited for a larger intervention study, over age 65 years, with hip pain present for 6 months or longer and living independently in the community with no significant medical or neurological conditions were eligible for this study. Of the 80 study participants, 70% were female, mean age was 74 years (range 65 to 88) and 52% reported a diagnosis of hip OA by their family physician or other health professional, the majority with confirmed radiology diagnosis. METHODS: Participants were screened by a physiotherapist using a standard clinical classification testing protocol for hip OA. A standardized interview for fall history was performed and subjects were screened for fall risk using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). ANALYSIS: Quantitative descriptive analyses were performed. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of subjects reported one or more falls in the past year defined as any body part coming into contact with the ground or other lower surface. Ten percent reported two or more falls in the past year. In total, 42 falls were described by 36 participants. Approximately half of falls occurred in the home with the other half occurring just outside the home or outdoors in the community. The majority of falls were due to tripping on steps, curbs, obstacles (36%), or slipping on ice, stairs, loose mats, wet floors (33%). Other reported known causes included: getting up from a chair or bed,turning quickly, leg giving away, reaching. Six of the 42 reported falls resulted in a fracture (14%). Twenty-six percent of subjects reported injuries other than fractures. Seventy percent reported near falls occurring frequently (once a week or more, 30%) or occasionally (less than once per week but more than once or twice in past year, 40%). Near falls were defined as losing balance, slipping or tripping but able to catch or stop fall before any body part touched the ground. The mean score for the TUG test was 13 seconds (range 6.2 sec. to 37.5 sec.). Twenty-five percent of the sample scored 14 seconds or greater, indicating a higher risk for future falls. Seventy percent scored greater than 10 sec. Most healthy community living older adults would score less than 10 sec. CONCLUSIONS: A sample of older adults with hip OA reported falls and near falls in the past year. Injuries were incurred with these falls including fractures. Tripping accounted for the majority of falls which may be due to leg weakness, loss of motion or proprioception. IMPLICATIONS: Identifying reasons for falling and fall risk factors in this population are important in order to prevent serious injury and develop effective physical therapy intervention strategies. KEYWORDS: accidental falls, hip osteoarthritis, older adult, fall risk. FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Canadian Institutes of Health Research; College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan.

ETHICS COMMITTEE: University of Saskatchewan