Diabetes and Falls in the Elderly

Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of falls in the elderly. Recurrent falls can significantly reduce the quality of life of older adults and lead to hospital admission. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between diabetes and falls in older people. The findings showed substantial heterogeneity.

Women with diabetes were more likely to fall than women without diabetes. Specifically, women with diabetes fell more than once a year on average. In contrast, women without diabetes had 2.4 falls on average.

This study included 9,249 females aged 67 and over. Their health status was determined by a questionnaire at baseline, followed by a medical examination after a follow-up period. Participants were asked whether they had experienced hypoglycemic symptoms within the past year.

The subjects were also asked to answer questions about their living arrangements. They were categorized as living alone, in a residential home, or with someone in the community. During the first two years of follow-up, the participants reported an average of more than one fall each year. After adjusting for other confounders, BMI, working status, loss of pressure sensitivity, and balance confidence were all associated with fall risk.

The multivariable logistic regression model was constructed using backward regression. Statistically significant P 0.05 was used to identify variables that entered the model.

In the final model, HbA1c levels were associated with fall risk. However, diabetic patients were less likely to fall if they had HbA1c levels of 7.0-7.4%. call buttons for elderly