Can results from clinical tests for mobility, performed during the first year after stroke, predict the risk of falling the following year?

• [284] CAN RESULTS FROM CLINICAL TESTS FOR MOBILITY, PERFORMED DURING THE FIRST WEEK AFTER STROKE, PREDICT THE RISK OF FALLING THE FOLLOWING YEAR? U.C. Persson1, P.O. Hansson2, K. Stibrant Sunnerhagen3. 1The Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburgh, Sweden; 2The Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; 3The Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden Background: The aim of the study was to examine how well results from clinical assessment scales could predict the risk of falling during the first year after stroke, using data gathered in the acute phase, day 4-7 after first onset of stroke symptoms. Methods: One hundred and sixteen patients, with a first event of an acute stroke, admitted to a stroke unit, were assessed with the 10 Meter Walking Test (10 MWT), the Timed Up & Go (TUG), the Swedish Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (SwePASS), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Modified Motor Assessment Scale (M-MAS UAS-95) during the first week after stroke onset. The patients were followed-up at 3, 6 and 12 months with new examinations, and data were collected regarding any event of falling. Results: Forty-six (48%) of the 96 patients who fulfilled the follow-up suffered at least one fall during the first year, most of them during the first 3 months, after stroke. Optimal cut-off levels were obtained by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. The results of all 5 tests were significantly associated with the risk of falling during follow-up. The 10 MWT, cut-off level of 12 seconds or more, seemed to be the best predictor for falling, with a positive predictive value of 64% and a negative predictive value of 76% (area under the curve 0.74, p < 0.001). Conclusions: There is a high risk of falling during the first year after stroke, and ordinary clinical tests for mobility can help us to predict individual risk for the patient. This information can assist us to take important preventive actions to reduce the stroke patients' risk for fractures and other injuries after discharge from hospital. Date: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 Session Info: Poster Session Red: Acute stroke: new treatment concepts - Wednesday, 26 May 2010 Citation: Cerebrovascular Diseases 2010;Vol. 29 (suppl 2)

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

outcome assessment

walking

postural balance

prognosis

mobility limitation

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)