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

C. MacGilchrist, Lorna Paul, Brian Ellis, Tracey E. Howe, B. Kennon, Jon Godwin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

118 Citations (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)162-168
Number of pages7
JournalDiabetic Medicine
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2010

Keywords

  • podiatry
  • muscle strength
  • diabetes
  • lower limbs

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