Abstract
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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 162-168 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Diabetic Medicine |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Feb 2010 |
Keywords
- podiatry
- muscle strength
- diabetes
- lower limbs