Gazibara, Tatjana (36494484100)Tatjana (36494484100)GazibaraKisic Tepavcevic, Darija (57218390033)Darija (57218390033)Kisic TepavcevicSvetel, Marina (6701477867)Marina (6701477867)SvetelTomic, Aleksandra (26654535200)Aleksandra (26654535200)TomicStankovic, Iva (58775209600)Iva (58775209600)StankovicKostic, Vladimir S. (57189017751)Vladimir S. (57189017751)KosticPekmezovic, Tatjana (7003989932)Tatjana (7003989932)Pekmezovic2025-06-122025-06-122017https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2017.08.008https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85028958039&doi=10.1016%2fj.clineuro.2017.08.008&partnerID=40&md5=afa66905784d65d0dabcf9be2c4e0c54https://remedy.med.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/6825Objectives To describe circumstances of near-falls among persons with Parkinson's disease (PD), assess factors associated with near-falling and assess whether near-falls in the first 6 months are associated with falling in the latter 6 months over one year of follow-up. Materials and methods In the period August 2011-December 2012, 120 consecutive persons with PD, who denied having fallen in the past 6 months, were recruited at Clinical center of Serbia in Belgrade. Occurrence of falling and near-falls was followed for one year. Results A total of 31 persons with PD (25.8%) experienced near-falls, but did not fall. Of 42 fallers, 32 (76.2%) experienced near-falls. Tripping was the most common cause of near-falls among fallers, whereas postural instability was the most common in non-fallers. Regardless of falling experience, the most common manner to avoid fall was holding onto furniture or wall. After adjustment for multiple motor and non-motor PD features, more severe freezing of gait was associated with occurrence of near-falls over one year of follow-up (odds ratio [OR] = 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.16; p = 0.043). Adjusted regression analysis did not show associations between near-falling in the first 6 months and falling in the latter 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion Near-falls commonly occur in persons with PD. More severe freezing of gait appears to predispose near-falling. Fall prevention programs focusing on balance maintenance when experiencing freezing of gait could potentially be useful in reduction of near-falls. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.FallsFollow-upNear-fallsParkinson's diseaseRisk factorsTripping/postural instability