Influence of the body mass index on the occurrence of falls in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

• Published in: Obesity research & clinical practice 2015-09, Vol.9 (5), p.522-526
• Main Authors: Herrera-Rangel, Aline B, Aranda-Moreno, Catalina, Mantilla-Ochoa, Teresa, Zainos-Saucedo, Lilia, Jáuregui-Renaud, Kathrine
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidental Falls; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Body Mass Index; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - complications; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Falls; Female; Humans; Internal Medicine; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Postural Balance; Primary Health Care; Risk Factors; Sex Factors
• ISSN: 1871-403X; 1878-0318
• DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2015.02.006

Summary To assess the influence of the body mass index (BMI) on the occurrence of falls in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, receiving primary health care. We collected data from 134 patients (56.7 ± 9.4 y.o.), none of them were seeking medical care due to sensory or balance decline. During the first evaluation, they reported falls, replied to a questionnaire of symptoms related to balance and had a sensory evaluation. After a 6 months follow-up, they reported falls again and, according to the occurrence of falls during the preceding year, patients were classified in 2 groups: no falls ( N = 92) and falls ( N = 42). The occurrence of falls was related to BMI, gender and age. Compared to patients with no falls, patients with falls had a greater BMI and comprised a higher proportion of patients with a BMI ≥35; patients with a BMI ≥35 were younger than patients with a BMI