THU0347 Is Balance Affected in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Background Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem disease that has a broad range of manifestations. Balance as a complex task may be affected in SLE and this may cause postural instability and fall risk. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the fall risk in cases with SLE with an objective computerized technique and to evaluate the potential related risk factors for falls in these cases. Methods Female patients with SLE (1997 ACR revised classification criteria for SLE) and female healty controls were included. Patients who were not able to tolerate posturography, with a history of orthopedic surgery and with known balance problems were excluded. The age, disease duration, anamnesis of falls, fear of falling and drugs used were recorded. Disease activity (with SLE disease activity index SELENA modification) and damage (with Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/ACR Damage Index) were evaluated. For the evaluation of fall efficacy, we used the Falls Efficacy Scale International (FES-I). Fall risk analysis was performed by Tetrax Interactive Balance System which is a computerized posturography device. By this method, fall risk is obtained as a numeric value (0–100) and as ranges indicating low, moderate or high risk of fall. We investigated age, disease duration, fall anamnesis, fear of falling, drug usage, FES-I, disease activity and damage as possibe related factors to fall risk. Mann–Whitney U, chi square and Spearman correlation tests were used for statistical analysis. Results 48 cases with SLE and 30 controls were included. The mean ages of the cases and controls were 37,8±12,6 and 39,1±15,7 years, respectively. Symptom duration of the cases was 6,1±4,2 months. 7 cases (15%) had anamnesis of falls during the last 12 months, whereas only 1 control (3%) had this anamnesis (p Conclusions With an objective computerized technique, fall risk was found to be higher in cases with SLE than controls in our study. The higher fall risk in these patients seems to be affected by the disease itself, rather than its other characteristics. An increased awareness of the potential fall risk and future studies investigating the possible coexisting balance problems in SLE may contribute to the management. Disclosure of Interest None declared