Falls in individuals with type 2 diabetes; a cross- sectional study on the impact of motor dysfunction, postural instability and diabetic polyneuropathy

AimTo estimate the incidence of falls in individuals with type 2 diabetes compared to healthy controls and to describe the characteristics of fallers with type 2 diabetes in relation to motor dysfunction, postural instability and diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN).MethodsThis is a cross- sectional study of individuals with type 2 diabetes with DPN (n = 54), without DPN (n = 38) and healthy controls (n = 39). Falls were recorded within the preceding year. DPN was defined by clinical scores and nerve conduction studies. Motor function was assessed by a 6- min walk test (6 MWT), five- time sit- to- stand test (FTSST) and isokinetic dynamometry at the non- dominant ankle and knee. An instability index (ST) was measured using static posturography. Univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics were used for group comparisons.ResultsCompared with healthy controls, individuals with diabetes had a higher incidence of falls 36%, (n = 33) versus 15%, (n = 6), p = 0.02. There were no differences in falls when comparing individuals with and without DPN. Fallers had an impaired 6 MWT versus non- fallers (450 ± 153 m vs. 523 ± 97 m respectively), a slower FTSST (11.9 ± 4.2 s vs. 10.3 ± 2.9 s respectively) and a higher ST (53 ± 29 vs. 41 ± 17 respectively), pÂ