RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between frailty and history of falls in people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN: Secondary analysis. SETTING: University research laboratories in the United States and Israel. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 118 people (N=118) with relapsing-remitting MS (mean age, 48.9±10.0 years; 74.6% female; Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] range, 1.0-6.0) were studied in this cross-sectional analysis. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A frailty index was calculated from 40 health deficits by following standard validated procedures. The number of falls (12-month history) was recorded. RESULTS: Overall, 33.9%, 29.7%, and 36.4% of participants were classified as nonfrail, moderately frail, and severely frail, respectively. The frailty index was significantly correlated (ρ=0.37, P<.001) with higher scores on the EDSS. In univariable negative binomial regression analysis, the frailty index was associated with a higher number of falls (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=3.33; 95% CI, 1.85-5.99; P<.001). After adjustment for age, sex, and EDSS, frailty remained strongly associated with history of falls (IRR=2.78; 95% CI, 1.51-5.10; P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: The current study identifies a significant relationship between frailty and history of falls in MS, independent of age, sex, and disease severity. These findings support the notion that frailty is a syndrome related to but independent of disability in MS.