Lower-limb risk factors for falls in people with diabetes mellitus

Older people with diabetes mellitus (DM) may be at high risk of falling because of general risk factors for falls as well as disease-specific factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of falls and to investigate lower-limb factors for falls in older people with DM. Sixty patients with DM over 55 years of age were recruited. ‘Fallers’ were those who self-reported at least one fall in the previous year. In addition to diabetes status and demographic information, the following were assessed: neuropathy symptom score (NSS), neuropathy disability score (NDS), foot deformity score (FDS), Tinetti performance-oriented assessment of mobility (POMA), ankle muscle strength and gait parameters. Data from ‘fallers’ and ‘non-fallers’ were compared and logistic regression analysis performed to identify variables predictive of falls.