Correlates of falls and fear of falling among adults with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To identify correlates of falling and fear of falling, and to examine how fear of falling affects activities among adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. Adults (mean age 54.2 years; SD 9.1) with RA (n = 128) responded to questions related to falls, fear of falling, and activities modified. Other measures included the Profile of Mood States Short Form, the McGill Pain Questionnaire Short Form, walk time, grip strength, predicted maximum oxygen uptake, and joint count. Results. Thirty-five percent of participants fell during the previous year. Subjects who fell had more comorbid conditions than subjects who did not fall. Almost 60% were fearful of falling. Compared with subjects who denied fear of falling, fearful subjects had longer walk times, more comorbid conditions, and more intense pain. Activities affected most by fear of falling involved heavy work and climbing. Conclusions. The number of comorbid conditions plays an important role in falling and fear of falling in adults with RA. Knowledge of this and other factors, such as pain intensity and functional status, can facilitate appropriate interventions.