Affiliations: [a] School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Centers for Rehab Services, University of Pittsburgh, 6035 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA | [b] Rangos School of Health Sciences, Duquesne University, 111 Locust St., Pittsburgh, PA, USA | [c] School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 6035 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
Note: [*] Address correspondence: Dr. Susan L. Whitney, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Centers for Rehab Services, University of Pittsburgh, 6035 Forbes Tower, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA. Fax: +1 412 647 1222; E-mail: whitney+@pitt.edu
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between gait instability and falls history in people with vestibular disorders. A total of 247 people (164 women, 83 men) participated in the study (mean age = 62.5). Falls history within the last 6 months and scores on the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) were compared using the Mantel-Hantzel Chi-square statistic. Thirty-seven percent of all subjects reported falling within the last 6 months. Odds ratios in favor of falls with DGI scores of 19 or lower was 2.58 (95% were 2.58 times more likely to have reported a fall in the previous 6 months than subjects with scores above 19. Younger subjects (those under 65 years of age) with vestibular disorders reported more falls than persons 65 years of age or over. Younger people may be more willing to risk a fall while actively having a vestibular disorder. The DGI appears to be a good indicator of fall status in persons with vestibular disorders, regardless of age.
