Objective-To identify the risk factors for falling after stroke, to establish the relation with lesion localisation, and to evaluate the incidence of falling. Methods-The falling history and the mood of 293 patients with stroke were investigated by a standard questionnaire. Other information (time since stroke, risk factors, and CT) about patients was obtained from their hospital records. Results-Increasing age, depression, and heart disease were significant risk factors for falling (heart disease had a negative influence). A right hemispheric infarct was significantly more common among the falling group. Conclusion-This study suggests clues for possible modifications of the management of patients with stroke during the recovery period. 1-5 A very high incidence of falls (15.9/1000 patients/day) has been reported from a geriatric unit for stroke rehabilitation. 6 The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of falling, to identify the risk factors for falling after stroke, and to evaluate the relation between lesion localisation and falling. Materials and methodsThe participants of the study were patients with ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke who were followed up in our stroke unit between the years of 1992-6.The exclusion criteria were history of a transient ischaemic attack, epilepsy, orthopaedic problems, major psychiatric problems, and intracranial operations. Two hundred and ninety three patients were eligible for the study. A standard questionnaire was posted to the patients or their relatives to obtain information about falling. Questions were asked about the number of falls, and the patient's psychiatric status and functional capability. Falling was described as losing balance under conditions such as during standing up from a lying position, walking, changing position, or descending stairs, without any change of consiousness.On the questionnaire form, patients were asked to fill out the Montgomery and Asberg rating scale and Barthel index functional status forms to evaluate their mood and functional status. Other information about stroke type and severity, CT and MRI findings, and risk factors for stroke were screened from their hospital recordings. A neurologist checked all questionnaire forms and the patients were separated into two groups; falling patients and non-falling patients.DATA ANALYSES Data were collected on standard proformas for analyses using SPSS version 7.5 for Windows 95 (SPSS Inc). We used 2 tests (categorical variables) and Student's t test as appropriate (continuous variables) to investigate the relation between each question and demographic variables and outcomes. Results are reported as arithmetic mean and simple SD. Variables considered for questions were Barthel index, Montgomery and Asberg rating scale, age, and sex. Each patient's risk factors, age, and the hemisphere involved in ischaemia were assessed. Statistical significance was accepted at the 0.05 level. ResultsWe registered 131 falling (44% of all patients, mean (SD) age 62.5 (10.3)) and 162 non-fallin...

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We have shown that CBFv decreased in patients with AD and DPD, but vasoneuronal activity was only impaired in patients with AD. On the other hand, although the results do not show significant differences between depressive and demented groups by TCD, further studies will be needed for differentiating these diseases.

It should be remembered that blood FV measured by TCD may be significantly affected by age and hematocrit level. However, there seems to be no significant association between TCD velocities and hematocrit in patients with a recent ischemic stroke.

The present model may be considered a progressive communicating hydrocephalus because of marked changes in blood flow dynamics and destruction of the ependymal layer at the chronic stage.