Do patients with migraine experience an increased prevalence of falls and fear of falling? A cross-sectional study

Author(s)

Carvalho, G. F. ^[1] ; Almeida, C. S. ^[1] ; Florencio, L. L. ^[1] ; Pinheiro, C. F. ^[1] ; Dach, F. ^[2] ; Bigal, M. E. ^[3] ; Bevilaqua-Grossi, D. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Biomech Med & Locomotor Apparat Rehabil, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Madre Rita St 850, BR-14400270 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Neurosci & Behav Sci, Ribeirao Preto Med Sch, Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Teva Pharmaceut, Res & Dev Dept, Frazer, PA - USA

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PHYSIOTHERAPY; v. 104, n. 4, p. 424-429, DEC 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Objective To assess the prevalence of falls and fear of falling in patients with migraine compared with controls. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Tertiary headache clinic. Participants This study consisted of 105 controls and 105 consecutive patients diagnosed with migraine with aura (MA, n= 35), migraine without aura (MO, n = 35) and chronic migraine (CM, n= 35). Main outcome measures Patients were interviewed using a questionnaire containing questions about the history of falls and impairment in balance, and completed the International Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I). Groups were contrasted using Student's t-test and analysis of variance, and prevalence ratios were estimated. Results Falls and self-reported impairment in balance are more prevalent in patients with migraine (54% and 69%, respectively) than in controls (2% and 2%, respectively). In particular, patients with CM and MA reported a greater mean number of falls during the previous year [CM 1.4 {[}standard deviation (SD) 2.2]; MA 2.2 (SD 2.3)] compared with patients with MO {[}0.5 (SD 1.0); P < 0.04] and controls {[}0.05 (SD 0.2); P < 0.002]. The prevalence ratio of falls was greater in patients with MA (7.2; P < 0.002) and CM (4.5; P < 0.002) compared with controls. Patients with migraine experienced a high level of concern about falls during their daily activities compared with controls (29.8 vs 20.1 points in the FES-I questionnaire; P<0.0001). Conclusions The balance impairment of patients with migraine may have a functional impact. Migraine is associated with risk of falling, and patients exhibit a higher prevalence of impairment in balance, falls and fear of falling. (C) 2018 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/20046-2 - Changes in functional balance in patients with chronic and episodic migraine
• Grantee: Gabriela Ferreira Carvalho
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate