Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39219364›Full record

ArticleJournal of the peripheral nervous system : JPNS2024

Peripheral neuropathy, an independent risk factor for falls in the elderly, impairs stepping as a postural control mechanism: A case-cohort study.

Felix Kohle, Christopher Stark, Heinz-Dieter Klünter, Daniel Wernicke, Gilbert Wunderlich, Gereon R Fink, Jens P Klussmann, Michael Schroeter, Helmar C Lehmann

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Article in Journal of the peripheral nervous system : JPNS, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Felix KohleDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-4429-0367
Christopher StarkDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Heinz-Dieter KlünterDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Daniel WernickeDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Gilbert WunderlichDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Gereon R FinkDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Jens P KlussmannDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Michael SchroeterDepartment of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Helmar C LehmannDepartment of Neurology, Hospital Leverkusen, Leverkusen, Germany.

Funding

Cologne Clinician Scientist Program (CCSP) / Faculty of Medicine / University of Cologne. Funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) 413543196
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

BACKGROUND/

aimsPeripheral neuropathies perturbate the sensorimotor system, causing difficulties in walking-related motor tasks and, eventually, falls. Falls result in functional dependency and reliance on healthcare, especially in older persons. We investigated if peripheral neuropathy is a genuine risk factor for falls in the elderly and if quantification of postural control via posturography is helpful in identifying subjects at risk of falls.

methodsSeventeen older persons with a clinical polyneuropathic syndrome of the lower limbs and converging electrophysiology were compared with 14 older persons without polyneuropathy. All participants were characterized via quantitative motor and sensory testing, neuropsychological assessment, and self-questionnaires. Video-nystagmography and caloric test excluded vestibulocochlear dysfunction. For further analysis, all subjects were stratified into fallers and non-fallers. Overall, 28 patients underwent computerized dynamic posturography for individual fall risk assessment. Regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors and predictive posturography parameters.

resultsNeuropathy is an independent risk factor for falls in the elderly, while no differences were observed for age, gender, weight, frailty, DemTect test, timed "Up & Go" test, and dizziness-related handicap score. In computerized dynamic posturography, fallers stepped more often to regain postural control in challenging conditions, while the Rhythmic Weight Shift test showed a lack of anterior-posterior bidirectional voluntary control.

interpretationOur study confirms peripheral neuropathy as a risk factor for older persons' falls. Fallers frequently used stepping to regain postural control. The voluntary control of this coping movement was impaired. Further investigations into these parameters' value in predicting the risk of falls in the elderly are warranted.

Indexed as

Accidental FallsPeripheral Nervous System DiseasesPostural BalanceAgedAged, 80 and overCohort StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRisk Factorsagingfrailtygeriatricsposturographyproprioception

Identifiers

PMID39219364
PMCPMC11625983

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.