@article{ref1,
title="Falls in individuals with type 2 diabetes; a cross-sectional study on the impact of  motor dysfunction, postural instability and diabetic polyneuropathy",
journal="Diabetic medicine",
year="2020",
author="Khan, Karolina S. and Pop-Busui, Rodica and Devantier, Louise and Kristensen, Alexander G. and Tankisi, Hatice and Dalgas, Ulrik and Overgaard, Kristian and Andersen, Henning",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="AIM: To 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). <br><br>METHODS: This 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 six-minute walk test  (6MWT), 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. <br><br>RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, individuals with diabetes had  a higher incidence of falls 36%, (n= 33) vs. 15%, (n=6), p=0.02. There were no  differences in falls when comparing individuals with and without DPN. Fallers had an  impaired 6MWT vs. non-fallers (450±153m vs. 523 ±97m, respectively), a slower FTSST  (11.9± 4.2 sec. vs. 10.3±2.9 sec. respectively) and a higher ST (53±29 vs 41±17  respectively), p<0.02 for all. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Individuals with type 2 diabetes reported  a higher number of falls within the preceding year compared to healthy controls,  irrespective of the presence of DPN. The main factors associated with falls were  increased postural instability, lower walking capacity and slower sit-to-stand  movements. The 6MWT, FTSST and posturography should be considered in future  screening programs in identification of individuals at risk for falls.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0742-3071",
doi="10.1111/dme.14470",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dme.14470"
}