TY - JOUR PY - 2021// TI - Falls and fractures associated with type 2 diabetic polyneuropathy; a cross-sectional nationwide questionnaire study JO - Journal of diabetes investigation A1 - Khan, Karolina Snopek A1 - Christensen, Diana Hedevang A1 - Nicolaisen, Sia Kromann A1 - Gylfadottir, Sandra Sif A1 - Jensen, Troels Staehelin A1 - Nielsen, Jens Steen A1 - Thomsen, Reimar Wernich A1 - Andersen, Henning SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - AIM: To examine the prevalence of falls and fractures and the association with symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) in patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A detailed questionnaire on neuropathy symptoms and falls was sent to 6,726 patients enrolled in the DD2 cohort (median age 65 years, diabetes duration 4.6 years). Complete data on fractures and patient characteristics were ascertained from population-based health registries. We defined possible DPN as a score ≥4 on the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instruments questionnaire (MNSIq). Using Poisson regression analyses, we estimated the adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) of falls and fractures, comparing patients with and without DPN.

RESULTS: In total, 5,359 (80%) answered the questions on MNSIq and falls. Within the year preceding questionnaire-response, 17% (n=933) reported at least one fall and 1.4% (n=76) suffered from a fracture. The prevalence ratio of falls was substantially increased in patients with possible DPN compared to those without: aPR: 2.33 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.06-2.63). The prevalence ratio increased with the number of falls from aPR: 1.51 (95% CI: 1.22-1.89) for one fall to aPR: 5.89 (95% CI: 3.84-9.05) for ≥4 falls within the preceding year. Possible DPN was associated with a slightly although non-significantly increased risk of fractures: aPR: 1.32 (95% CI: 0.75-2.33).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes and symptoms of DPN had a highly increased risk of falling. These results emphasize the need for preventive interventions to reduce fall risk among patients with type 2 diabetes and possible DPN.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 2040-1116 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jdi.13542 ID - ref1 ER -