Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40968419›Full record

Observational studyCNS & neurological disorders drug targets2026

Factors Involved in the Risk of Falls in People with Multiple Sclerosis: A Case-control Study.

Francisco Javier Ruiz-Sanchez, Maria do Rosário Martins, Mara Jesus Rocha, Daniel Lopez-Lopez, Marta Elena Losa-Iglesias, Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-Vallejo, Juan Gomez-Salgado, Miguel Angel Saavedra-García, Ana Maria Jimenez-Cebrian

Abstract readObservational Study
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In one paragraph

Observational study in CNS & neurological disorders drug targets, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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.

Francisco Javier Ruiz-SanchezResearch, Health and Podiatry Group, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of A Coruña, Ferrol, 15403, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-2093-169X
Maria do Rosário MartinsHealth Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA:E), Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, School of Health, Viana do Castelo, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0002-8609-5834
Mara Jesus RochaHealth Sciences Research Unit: Nursing (UICISA:E), Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, School of Health, Viana do Castelo, Portugal.ORCID 0000-0001-5705-8113
Daniel Lopez-LopezResearch, Health and Podiatry Group, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, University of A Coruña, Ferrol, 15403, Spain.ORCID 0000-0001-6248-9188
Marta Elena Losa-IglesiasFaculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Alcorcón, Madrid, 28922, Spain.
Ricardo Becerro-de-Bengoa-VallejoFaculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain.ORCID 0000-0003-1568-7602
Juan Gomez-SalgadoDepartment of Sociology, Social Work and Public Health, Faculty of Labour Sciences, University of Huelva, Huelva, Spain.
Miguel Angel Saavedra-GarcíaGroup of Research in Sport Sciences (INCIDE), Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of A Coruña, A Coruña, 15179, Spain.
Ana Maria Jimenez-CebrianDepartment of Nursing and Podiatry, University of Málaga, Málaga, 29071, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, 29010, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-8634-7114

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionThe mobility of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) is significantly limited due to the involvement of the musculoskeletal system, resulting in falls and a diminished quality of life. This study aimed to assess the risk of falls (utilizing the Downton scale) and its association with spasticity and other variables in pwMS and compare it with a group of healthy participants.

methodsThis descriptive and cross-sectional observational study involved 86 subjects, divided into two groups: cases (n=41) and controls (n=45). All participants completed the Spanish version of the Downton Scale.

resultsThere was a significant statistical association (p<0.05) in all dimensions of the Downton Scale, except for medications (significant in antihypertensives), showing increased levels of disability and barriers in pwMS. The case group, comprising pwMS, exhibited a significantly higher risk of falls, with a mean score of 2.37 ± 1.76, whereas the healthy subjects scored significantly lower at 0.44 ± 0.62. Additionally, the pwMS displayed notably higher association levels of spasticity compared to the healthy group. DISCUSSION: The study emphasizes that spasticity significantly increases the risk of falls in pwMS, reinforcing the Downton scale's utility in identifying high-risk individuals. However, limitations such as a non-diverse sample and the absence of comparison with other neurological conditions suggest the need for broader, more inclusive future research.

conclusionThis study confirms that pwMS face a greater risk of falls compared to their healthy counterparts. Factors such as spasticity, visual impairments, and hearing problems significantly contribute to this increased risk.

Indexed as

Accidental FallsMultiple SclerosisAdultAgedCase-Control StudiesCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedMuscle SpasticityRisk Factorsand risk of fallsDownton scalefall prevention.footgait instabilityMultiple sclerosissensory impairmentspasticity

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Registered trials

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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.