TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2015//
TI  - Impact of diabetic complications on balance and falls: contribution of the vestibular system
JO  - Physical therapy
A1  - D'Silva, Linda J.
A1  - Lin, James
A1  - Staecker, Hinrich
A1  - Whitney, Susan L.
A1  - Kluding, Patricia M.
SP  - 400
EP  - 409
VL  - 96
IS  - 3
N2  - Diabetes causes many complications, of which retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy are well understood as contributing to gait instability and falls. A less understood complication of diabetes is the effect on the vestibular system. The vestibular system contributes significantly to balance in static and dynamic conditions by providing spatially orienting information. It is noteworthy that diabetes has been reported to affect vestibular function in both animal and clinical studies. Pathophysiological changes in peripheral and central vestibular structures have been noted due to diabetes. Vestibular dysfunction is associated with impaired balance and higher fall risk. As the prevalence of diabetes increases so does the potential for falls due to diabetic complications. The purpose of this perspectives paper is to present the evidence related to the pathophysiology of diabetes-related complications and their influence on balance and falls, with specific attention given to emerging evidence of vestibular dysfunction due to diabetes. Understanding this relationship may be useful to the physical therapist in order to screen for possible vestibular dysfunction in people with diabetes as well as for further developing and testing efficacy of interventions to reduce falls in this population.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0031-9023
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20140604
ID  - ref1
ER  -