Citation

D'Silva LJ, Lin J, Staecker H, Whitney SL, Kluding PM. Phys. Ther. 2015; 96(3): 400-409.

Affiliation

P.M. Kluding, PT, PhD, Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Kansas Medical Center.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, American Physical Therapy Association)

DOI

10.2522/ptj.20140604

PMID

26251477

Abstract

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.

Language: en