Fall incidence and risk among adults with cerebral palsy

PurposeFalls are common in adults with cerebral palsy (CP) and remain a significant concern. The study examined whether fall risk, fall incidence, and fall-related injuries differ by GMFCS level, CP type, age, and gender in adults with CP. Materials and MethodsA cross-sectional, retrospective chart review was conducted for adults 18 years or older with CP who received outpatient specialty care between December 2022 to May 2023. CP diagnosis and type were determined using ICD-10 codes; GMFCS level was extracted from electronic medical record notes. Fall risk was determined using the Morse Fall Scale (MFS), with scores [&ge;]45 indicating high fall risk. ResultsAmong 647 adults with CP, ambulatory individuals (GMFCS II-III) had significantly higher MFS scores and fall incidence than non-ambulatory individuals (p < 0.001). CP type and gender showed significant group differences, whereas age did not. Individuals with spastic diplegia and unspecified CP showed higher fall risk. Females were twice as likely as males to report a recent fall, although MFS scores did not differ by gender. Five injuries were reported among ambulatory individuals in the past three months. ConclusionsFindings highlight the importance of refining fall-risk assessment and prevention strategies for higher-risk groups.