Contributions
Abstract: P360
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Clinical assessment tools
Background: Both walking and cognition are commonly impaired in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Simultaneous execution of motor and cognitive tasks can lead to deterioration in one or both of the tasks; this interference is quantified as the dual task cost (DTC). Previous research has shown DTC to be associated with increased fall risk in MS.
Objectives: The objective of this analysis is to examine the difference in DTC between fallers and non-fallers and to determine if there is any correlation with prospective falls status and cognition.
Methods: Consecutive patients with MS attending the Neurology service in a tertiary hospital were recruited. Data collected included the Expanded Disability Status Scale score (EDSS), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) score to assess cognitive function, time since diagnosis, type of MS and walking aid(s) used. Consenting participants completed a questionnaire of falls risk factors and the timed up and go test (TUG) under single and dual task conditions. Falls were prospectively recorded for 3 months using falls diaries.
Results: Falls status was available for 94 participants and total falls recorded for 88 participants. Mean age was 52.2 (SD 10.8) and 66% were female. EDSS score ranged from 3 to 6.5 with a mean of 5.3 (SD 1.1) and a mean time since diagnosis of 14.3 (SD 9.4) years. 72.3% of the sample had progressive MS with 73% using a mobility aid. There was no difference in DTC score between fallers and non-fallers (p=0.87). Binary logistic regression on DTC ability to predict fall status was not significant (OR=1.002, 95% CI, p=0.32). DTC explained only 3% of the variance in falls status. There was a weak correlation (rho=0.23) between DTC and SDMT score. DTC was not correlated to the total number of falls (rho=0.03).
Conclusion: In this sample with mean EDSS of 5.3 and predominantly secondary progressive MS, DTC alone did not correlate with falls status or number of falls. DTC in isolation should not be used to predict fallers. Analysis of DTC in combination with other variables to develop a falls risk algorithm is ongoing.
Disclosure:
Ms. Gillian Quinn: has received research stipend from MS Ireland.
Dr. Susan Coote: has received consultancy fees from Novartis and research funding from MS Ireland, the Health Research Board and the Irish Research Council
Dr. Rose Galvin: nothing to disclose
Dr. Chris McGuigan: has received research grants from Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis and Bayer, honoraria as a consultant from Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis and Roche.
Ms. Laura Comber: has received research stipend from MS Ireland.
Abstract: P360
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Clinical assessment tools
Background: Both walking and cognition are commonly impaired in people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Simultaneous execution of motor and cognitive tasks can lead to deterioration in one or both of the tasks; this interference is quantified as the dual task cost (DTC). Previous research has shown DTC to be associated with increased fall risk in MS.
Objectives: The objective of this analysis is to examine the difference in DTC between fallers and non-fallers and to determine if there is any correlation with prospective falls status and cognition.
Methods: Consecutive patients with MS attending the Neurology service in a tertiary hospital were recruited. Data collected included the Expanded Disability Status Scale score (EDSS), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) score to assess cognitive function, time since diagnosis, type of MS and walking aid(s) used. Consenting participants completed a questionnaire of falls risk factors and the timed up and go test (TUG) under single and dual task conditions. Falls were prospectively recorded for 3 months using falls diaries.
Results: Falls status was available for 94 participants and total falls recorded for 88 participants. Mean age was 52.2 (SD 10.8) and 66% were female. EDSS score ranged from 3 to 6.5 with a mean of 5.3 (SD 1.1) and a mean time since diagnosis of 14.3 (SD 9.4) years. 72.3% of the sample had progressive MS with 73% using a mobility aid. There was no difference in DTC score between fallers and non-fallers (p=0.87). Binary logistic regression on DTC ability to predict fall status was not significant (OR=1.002, 95% CI, p=0.32). DTC explained only 3% of the variance in falls status. There was a weak correlation (rho=0.23) between DTC and SDMT score. DTC was not correlated to the total number of falls (rho=0.03).
Conclusion: In this sample with mean EDSS of 5.3 and predominantly secondary progressive MS, DTC alone did not correlate with falls status or number of falls. DTC in isolation should not be used to predict fallers. Analysis of DTC in combination with other variables to develop a falls risk algorithm is ongoing.
Disclosure:
Ms. Gillian Quinn: has received research stipend from MS Ireland.
Dr. Susan Coote: has received consultancy fees from Novartis and research funding from MS Ireland, the Health Research Board and the Irish Research Council
Dr. Rose Galvin: nothing to disclose
Dr. Chris McGuigan: has received research grants from Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis and Bayer, honoraria as a consultant from Biogen, Genzyme, Novartis and Roche.
Ms. Laura Comber: has received research stipend from MS Ireland.