RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BALANCE AND FEAR OF FALLING IN GERIATRIC TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare balance parameters and fear of falling in geriatric individuals with and without type 2 diabetes (DM), and to investigate the relationship between balance and fear of falling in these groups. Methods: The study included 31 type 2 DM patients who were diagnosed by a specialist doctor and 29 age matched controls. Fear of falling was assessed using the International Fall Efficacy Scale. The balance parameters including center of the pressure (COP) which are the COP length and the COP velocity were measured and recorded using the gait analysis system, Zebris FDM-2 instrument, in standing position. Balance was also assessed using timed up and go test (TUG). Results: There was a significant difference between diabetic and control groups regarding COP length (p=0.021) and COP velocity (p=0.028). In the diabetic patients, there was a statistically significant relationship between fear of falling and COP length (p=0.001) and COP velocity (p= 0.001). There was a significant correlation between TUG and COP velocity (p<0.001) and COP length (p< 0.001) in type 2 DM patients. Conclusion: In elderly with type 2 DM, increased balance disturbances occurred compared to age matched individuals without DM, and fear of falling was associated with balance in geriatric type 2 DM patients. It is therefore important to understand the changes occurring in balance so that future complications may be prevented, early diagnosis and intervention may be achieved in the event of a problem, and a decision about appropriate approaches for treatment can be made.