Risk Factors Associated With Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

ObjectiveTo identify risk factors for falls and fall-related injuries for wheelchair users with spinal cord injury (SCI). DesignCross-sectional study. SettingCommunity setting. ParticipantsFifty-nine community dwelling wheelchair users (N=59), 47.5% male, median age of 52.5 years (IQR, 21 years) with chronic SCI, median time since injury of 16.6 years (IQR, 27.3 years). InterventionsNo intervention. Main Outcome MeasuresOutcomes were incidence of falls and fall-related injuries. Participants reported on falls and fall-related injuries experienced in the previous 6 months. Independent variables were self-reported and performance-based measures. Self-reported measures included demographics, characteristics of SCI, fear of falling, psychological measures, functional independence, wheelchair skills, environmental barriers, quality of life, and community participation. Performance-based measures included transfer quality and sitting balance assessments. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors influencing falls and fall-related injuries. ResultsIn total, 152 falls and 30 fall-related injuries were reported from a total of 37 fallers. After logistic regression analysis, the model with the greatest levels of clinical utility and discriminative ability for falls (sensitivity 81%; specificity 55%; area under the receiving operating characteristic curve [AUC] statistics=0.73; 95% CI, 0.60-0.86) included the variables of shorter time since SCI, high mobility level, and having received education on fall prevention. The model for fall-related injuries (sensitivity 79%; specificity 75%; AUC statistics=0.77; 95% CI, 0.59-0.96) included the variables of older male individual, lower physical health score, and having received education on fall prevention. ConclusionsThe regression models presented may be used to identify wheelchair users with SCI at greater risk of falls and fall-related injuries. The findings may help to refer those in need to tailored fall and fall-related injury prevention programs. The findings presented in this study were based on a relatively small sample convenience; therefore, further prospective studies with a larger sample size are warranted.