Fear of falling in acute stroke: The Fall Study of Gothenburg (FallsGOT).

Objective: Little is known about which factors are associated with a patient’s fear of falling (FoF) after acute stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate baseline variables and their association with FoF during rehabilitation in acute stroke. Patients and methods: The study population consisted of the 462 patients with acute stroke who were admitted to a stroke unit, included in the observational study “The Fall Study in Gothenburg (FallsGOT)” and were able to answer a single question: “Are you afraid of falling?” (Yes/No). To analyze any association between FoF and clinical variables, univariable and multivariable stepwise multiple logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: In the stepwise multivariable regression analysis, only female sex (OR = 2.25 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-3.46, <italic>p</italic> = 0.0002]), the use of a walking aid (OR 3.40, [95% CI 2.12-5.43, <italic>p</italic> < 0.0001]), and postural control as assessed with the SwePASS total score were statistically significant associated with FoF. Among patients with a SwePASS score of 24 or less, the OR was 9.41 [95% CI 5.13-17.25, <italic>p</italic> < 0.0001] for FoF compared to patients with a SwePASS score of 31 or above; among the patients with a SwePASS score of 25-30, the OR was 2.29 [95% CI = 1.36-3.83, <italic>p</italic> = 0.0017]. Conclusions: Our findings provide valuable insight for those involved in stroke rehabilitation during the acute phase after stroke. FoF is associated with poor postural control, female sex and the use of a walking aid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]