Does lower-extremity arterial disease predict future falling among older men and women?
The purpose of this study was to determine whether lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an independent risk factor for falls among older persons. Men and women 55 years old and older participated. Subjects with PAD (n = 86) were identified from a noninvasive vascular laboratory and a general medicine practice. Randomly selected controls without PAD (n = 82) were identified from the same medicine practice. Subjects were categorized into PAD (ankle brachial index, <0.90) or controls (ankle brachial index, 0.90 to 1.50). Subjects underwent a comprehensive baseline evaluation for fall risk. Prospective fall data were obtained using monthly mail-in postcards and structured telephone interviews over a mean follow-up of 9.6 +/- 2.9 months. Two independent investigators blinded to PAD status reviewed each fall incident for its eligibility. A total of 37 subjects (22%) had at least 1 eligible fall. In an unadjusted Cox regression model, the relative risk of falling was lower amo
