Exploring Factors Associated with Falls in Multiple Sclerosis: Insights from a Scoping Review

Abstract

Rachid Kaddoura,1,* Hanan Faraji,1,* Malek Othman,1 Amin Abu Hijleh,1 Tom Loney,2 Nandu Goswami,3,4 Hani T S Benamer5 1College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 2Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 3Division of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; 4Center for Space and Aviation Health, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 5Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, United Arab Emirates*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Rachid Kaddoura, PO Box 505055, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tel [phone], Email [email protected] Nandu Goswami, Division of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6, D05 Medical University of Graz, Graz, 8010, Austria, Tel [phone], Email [email protected]: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes demyelination of the central nervous system accompanied by a wide range of symptoms. The high prevalence of falls among patients diagnosed with MS within the initial six months highlights the importance of this issue. The objective of this study is to identify factors associated with falls in MS patients in order to increase awareness and reduce the risk of falls. This scoping review used specific Mesh terms to formulate the literature search around falls and MS using Medline, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Embase search engines. English papers published between 2012 and 2022, studies with a clear definition of falls, McDonald’s diagnostic criteria for MS, and those with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) or Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) scores were included. Critical data from the selected articles were extracted and classified according to the different factors associated with falls in MS patients. Eighteen articles were included in this review. The most important factors associated with falls in MS patients identified were the severity and progression of the disease, mobility and balance problems, bladder dysfunction, fear of falling, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. In conclusion, this scoping review yielded the most common factors associated with falls in patients with MS. Study findings can be used to develop future interventions focusing on improving mobility, proprioception, and balance to decrease fall risk and injury amongst MS patients.Keywords: multiple sclerosis, falls, causes, risk factors, neurological disorders

Keywords

• multiple sclerosis
• falls
• causes
• risk factors
• neurological disorders