Citation

Khan KS, Christensen DH, Nicolaisen SK, Gylfadottir SS, Jensen TS, Nielsen JS, Thomsen RW, Andersen H. J. Diabetes Investig. 2021; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/jdi.13542

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

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

Keywords

Falls; Fractures; Diabetic polyneuropathy; Type 2 diabetes