Risk Factors for Falls in HIV-Infected Persons

• DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e3182716e38
• Publication Date: 2012-12-17T18:21:49Z
• Authors: Kristine M. Erlan...; Amanda A. Allshouse; Catherine M. Jank...; Syki Duong; Samantha MaWhinney; Wendy M. Kohrt; Thomas B. Campbell
• Keywords: Male; Anti-HIV Agents; Incidence; HIV Infections; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Risk Factors; HIV-1; Humans; Accidental Falls; Female; Aged

Background: The incidence of and risk factors for falls in HIV-1–infected persons are unknown. Methods: Fall history during the prior 12 months, medical diagnoses, functional assessments were collected on HIV-infected 45–65 years age receiving effective antiretroviral therapy. was evaluated using univariate multivariate regression analyses. Results: Of 359 subjects, 250 (70%) reported no falls, 109 (30%) had ≥1 fall; 66 (18%) recurrent fallers. Females, whites, smokers more likely to be fallers (P ≤ 0.05). HIV-related characteristics including current nadir CD4 T-cell count, estimated HIV duration, Veterans Aging Cohort Study Index scores not predictors (all P ≥ 0.09); didanosine recipients = 0.04). odds falling increased 1.7 each comorbidity 1.4 medication < 0.001) higher with cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dementia, neuropathy, arthritis, chronic pain, psychiatric frailty, or disability [all ratio (OR) 1.8; 0.05]. Beta-blockers, antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives, opiates independently associated OR 2.7; 0.01). Female gender, diabetes, opiates, didanosine, exhaustion, weight loss, difficulty balance most significant logistic 2.5; Conclusions: Middle-aged adults have high fall risk. Multiple comorbidities, medications, impairment predictive but surrogate markers infection an HIV-specific multimorbidity index not. should assessed routinely as part care persons.