Risk of Fall among Chronic Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Lahore: A Case Series

Abstract

Background: Individuals with diabetes have an incremental risk of developing a number of complications and among them, the most prevalent complication is, diabetic neuropathy causing sensory and motor deficits resulting in balance impairments and increases the risk of fall.

Objective: To determine the risk of fall in chronic type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methodology: A descriptive case series was conducted at Diabetic Out-Patient Unit of Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore. 59 diagnosed cases of chronic type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited based on inclusion criteria. Each participant was questioned before conducting an assessment. The inclusion criteria were established neuropathy and patients having diabetes mellitus for at least ten years. Exclusion criteria were patients with recent onset of diabetes, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases which interfere with daily activities, neurological conditions which affects balance (Parkinson’s and Stroke) and severe pain. Data were recorded through interviews and balance test. Berg Balance Scale was used to assess the static and dynamic balance of the patients.

Results: Mean age of the patients was 57.43±7.28 years. 19 (32.2%) of the patients were male and 40 (67.8%) patients were female. In a sample size of 59, 17(28.8%) patients were at high risk of falling, whereas 33 (55.9%) patients were at medium and 9 (15.3%) patients were at low risk of fall respectively.

Conclusions: Greater numbers of patients with diabetic neuropathy have moderate risk of fall.

Keywords: Balance impairments, Berg balance scale, Diabetes Mellitus type 2, Diabetic Neuropathy, Fall Risk.