67 years of age
enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Diabetes was
determined by questionnaire at baseline. Physical performance was
measured at the second examination. Subsequently, falls were
ascertained every 4 months by postcard.
posted 10/09/02
Can improving diabetes treatment reduce the risk for falls?
The object of the study was to determine whether older women with
diabetes have an increased risk of falls and whether known risk
factors for falls account for any increased risk.
This prospective cohort study included 9,249 women
67 years of age
enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. Diabetes was
determined by questionnaire at baseline. Physical performance was
measured at the second examination. Subsequently, falls were
ascertained every 4 months by postcard.
The results showed a total of 629 (6.8%) women had diabetes,
including 99 who used insulin. During an average of 7.2 years, 1,640
women (18%) fell more than once a year. Diabetes, stratified by
insulin use, was associated with an increased risk of falling more
than once a year (age-adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.68 [95% CI
1.37–2.07] for non–insulin-treated diabetes; age-adjusted OR 2.78
[1.82–4.24] for insulin-treated diabetes). In the first 2 years
of follow-up, women with diabetes were not more likely to fall than
women without diabetes (44 vs. 42%; P = 0.26), but they had
more falls (3.1 vs. 2.4; P < 0.01). Women with diabetes were
more likely to have other risk factors for falls, which appeared to
account for the increased risk of falls associated with
non–insulin-treated diabetes (adjusted OR 1.18 [0.87–1.60]) but not
insulin-treated diabetes (adjusted OR 2.76 [1.52–5.01]).
It was concluded that older women with diabetes have an increased risk of falling, partly because of the increased rates of known fall risk factors, and may benefit from interventions to prevent falls. Further research is needed to determine whether diabetes treatment reduces fall risk.
Source: Diabetes In Control Dot Com: Diabetes Care 25:1749-1754, 2002.