Paul, Serene S.Thackeray, AnneDuncan, Ryan P.Cavanaugh, James T.Ellis, Theresa D.Earhart, Gammon M.Ford, Matthew P.Foreman, K. BoDibble, Leland E.2018-08-222018-08-222016-03-01Serene S Paul, Anne Thackeray, Ryan P Duncan, James T Cavanaugh, Theresa D Ellis, Gammon M Earhart, Matthew P Ford, K Bo Foreman, Leland E Dibble. 2016. "Two-Year Trajectory of Fall Risk in People With Parkinson Disease: A Latent Class Analysis." Archives Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation, Volume 97, Issue 3, pp. 372 - 379 (8). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2015.10.1050003-99931532-821Xhttps://hdl.handle.net/2144/30890Published in final edited form as: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2016 March ; 97(3): 372–379.e1. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2015.10.105.OBJECTIVE: To examine fall risk trajectories occurring naturally in a sample of individuals with early to middle stage Parkinson disease (PD). DESIGN: Latent class analysis, specifically growth mixture modeling (GMM), of longitudinal fall risk trajectories. SETTING: Assessments were conducted at 1 of 4 universities. PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling participants with PD of a longitudinal cohort study who attended at least 2 of 5 assessments over a 2-year follow-up period (N=230). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fall risk trajectory (low, medium, or high risk) and stability of fall risk trajectory (stable or fluctuating). Fall risk was determined at 6 monthly intervals using a simple clinical tool based on fall history, freezing of gait, and gait speed. RESULTS: The GMM optimally grouped participants into 3 fall risk trajectories that closely mirrored baseline fall risk status (P=.001). The high fall risk trajectory was most common (42.6%) and included participants with longer and more severe disease and with higher postural instability and gait disability (PIGD) scores than the low and medium fall risk trajectories (P<.001). Fluctuating fall risk (posterior probability <0.8 of belonging to any trajectory) was found in only 22.6% of the sample, most commonly among individuals who were transitioning to PIGD predominance. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of their baseline characteristics, most participants had clear and stable fall risk trajectories over 2 years. Further investigation is required to determine whether interventions to improve gait and balance may improve fall risk trajectories in people with PD.p. 372 - 379Science & technologyLife sciences & biomedicineRehabilitationSport sciencesAccidental fallsGaitLongitudinal studiesParkinson diseaseRiskRandomized controlled trialTai ChiExerciseAccidental fallsGaitLongitudinal studiesParkinson diseaseRehabilitationRiskAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle agedRisk factorsClinical sciencesHuman movement and sports sciencePublic health and health servicesRehabilitationArticle