Citations 1
Assessing fall risk in multiple sclerosis using patient-reported outcomes and wearable gait metrics
Banks, Samantha A. , Mandrekar, Jay , Jahanian, Omid , Ali, Farwa , Sagen, Jessica, Spence, Robert, Gossman, Kellie A, Kantarci, Orhun H. , Pittock, Sean J. , Pittock, S J , Jahanian, Omid , Pittock, Sean J , Baker, Matthew R , Flanagan, E P , Keegan, B Mark , Tobin, W Oliver , Banks, Samantha , Howe, Charles L. , Spence, Robert, Baker, Matthew , Flanagan, Eoin P. , Keegan, B. Mark , Tobin, W. Oliver
Multiple Sclerosis Journal – Experimental, Translational and Clinical | April 16, 2025 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Pages: No page available
Background Falls in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) lead to morbidity and expense. Objective Identify clinical metrics associated with falls. Methods Eighty-six pwMS completed fall surveys, timed 25-foot walk (T25FW), and motion analysis with Clario Opal devices. Logistic regression models were created. Results Median age was 54.5 years (range 21–73), 62% (53) were female. The cohort included 58% with relapsing (50) and 42% with progressive MS (36). Those who reported falling in the last year were older (median age 58 vs 52.5, p = .03) and had a higher Patient Determined Disease Step (PDDS) score (median 3 vs 1, p < .0001). Falls were associated with worse balance metrics including sway area (median 2.3 degrees 2 vs 1.2, p = .01), jerk (median 3.3 m 2 /s 5 vs 1.6, p = .005), and slower T25FW (median 11.5 s vs 8; p < .0001). A multivariable regression model based on gait aid use and T25FW time >10.8 s (c = 0.80) was derived. Having both features portended a probability of falling of 0.97, while having neither, a probability of 0.26. Conclusions Falls in pwMS are more frequent in patients who are older, have higher PDDS, slower walking, and worse balance. Gait aid use and T25FW >10.8 s were strongly associated with falls in the past year.