Journal article
Subclinical Peroneal Neuropathy: A Common, Unrecognized, and Preventable Finding Associated With a Recent History of Falling in Hospitalized Patients
Annals of family medicine, Vol.14(6), pp.526-533
11/2016
DOI: 10.1370/afm.1973
PMCID: PMC5389395
PMID: 28376439
Abstract
Identification of modifiable risk factors for falling is paramount in reducing the incidence and morbidity of falling. Peroneal neuropathy with an overt foot drop is a known risk factor for falling, but research into subclinical peroneal neuropathy (SCPN) resulting from compression at the fibular head is lacking. The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of SCPN in hospitalized patients and establish whether it is associated with a recent history of falling.
We conducted a cross-sectional study of 100 medical inpatients at a large academic tertiary care hospital in St Louis, Missouri. General medical inpatients deemed at moderate to high risk for falling were enrolled in the summer of 2013. Patients were examined for findings that suggest peroneal neuropathy, fall risk, and a history of falling. Multivariate logistic regression was used to correlate SCPN with fall risk and a history of falls in the past year.
The mean patient age was 53 years (SD = 13 years), and 59 patients (59%) were female. Thirty-one patients had examination findings consistent with SCPN. After accounting for various confounding variables within a multivariate logistic regression model, patients with SCPN were 4.7 times (95% CI, 1.4-15.9) more likely to report having fallen 1 or more times in the past year.
Subclinical peroneal neuropathy is common in medical inpatients and is associated with a recent history of falling. Preventing or identifying SCPN in hospitalized patients provides an opportunity to modify activity and therapy, potentially reducing risk.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Subclinical Peroneal Neuropathy: A Common, Unrecognized, and Preventable Finding Associated With a Recent History of Falling in Hospitalized Patients
- Creators
- Louis H Poppler - Washington University in St. LouisAndrew P Groves - Washington University in St. LouisGina Sacks - Washington University in St. LouisAnchal Bansal - Washington University in St. LouisKristen M Davidge - Hospital for Sick ChildrenJenifer A Sledge - BJC HealthCareHeidi Tymkew - BJC HealthCareYan Yan - Washington University in St. LouisJessica M Hasak - Washington University in St. LouisPatricia Potter - BJC HealthCareSusan E Mackinnon - Washington University in St. Louis
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Annals of family medicine, Vol.14(6), pp.526-533
- DOI
- 10.1370/afm.1973
- PMID
- 28376439
- PMCID
- PMC5389395
- ISSN
- 1544-1709
- eISSN
- 1544-1717
- Grant note
- UL1 TR000448 / NCATS NIH HHS TL1 TR000449 / NCATS NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/2016
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Hematology/Oncology
- Record Identifier
- 9984353843702771
Metrics
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