Impaired balance is related to the progression of diabetic complications in both young and older adults

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the balance ability in younger and older adults with diabetes and evaluate the associations between balance ability and microvascular complications.

Methods: This cross-sectional observational study compared 162 participants and 177 controls with and without type 2 diabetes, respectively. Balance ability was assessed using two static (one-legged stance and postural sway area) and two dynamic (Timed Up and Go [TUG] and Functional Reach) tests. Diabetic microangiopathy was also evaluated.

Results: Participants with diabetes, including both younger (<50years) and older (≥50years) participants, showed significantly worse balance ability in all four tests and were more likely to have a history of falls than the controls (all P<0.01). In all age groups, severe impairment of balance ability was associated with progression of diabetic microvascular complications. In all and older diabetic adults, a longer duration of diabetes (P=0.022) and higher TUG test score (P=0.004), and female sex (P=0.01) and higher TUG score (P=0.001), respectively, were related to a history of falls. On the other hand, among younger diabetic adults, only a non-significant association with longer duration of diabetes (P=0.066) was observed.

Conclusions: Impaired balance ability correlates with microvascular diabetic complications. Accurate assessment of balance ability in adults with diabetes could predict the risk of falls, particularly benefitting people with diabetic complications.

Keywords: Diabetes; Diabetic complications; Impaired balance ability; Risk of falls; Young adult.