PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY AS A CAUSE OF FALLS IN THE ELDERLY.

Studies have identified a variety of risk factors for falling in the elderly. Peripheral neuropathy would seem to be a logical risk factor, but only rarely has it been identified as a cause of falls. This case-control study compared the history of falls in 25 patients who had peripheral neuropathy documented by electromyography (EMG) with that in 25 age-and sex-matched patients who had normal EMG studies of the lower extremities.

The patients with peripheral neuropathy were 23 times more likely to have fallen during the previous year and were 6 times more likely to have fallen repeatedly. The two groups did not differ significantly in the prevalence of other self-reported factors associated with falling (e.g., weakness, visual impairment, de…