Title:The Relationship Between Diabetes Mellitus, Geriatric Syndromes, Physical Function, and Gait: A Review of the Literature
VOLUME: 12 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Bruno de Souza Moreira, Rosana Ferreira Sampaio, Sheyla Rossana Cavalcanti Furtado, Rosângela Corrêa Dias and Renata Noce Kirkwood
Affiliation:Department of Physical Therapy, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 6627 Antonio Carlos Avenue, 31270-901, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Keywords:Diabetes mellitus, elderly, geriatric syndromes, fear of falling, physical function, gait.
Abstract:Diabetes mellitus is a common and growing problem worldwide, especially in the elderly
population imposing a huge economic burden for individuals and healthcare services. The purpose of
this narrative review was to summarize the current state of knowledge about the relationship between
diabetes and important geriatric syndromes, physical function measures, and gait variables. Studies
pertaining to the topics were identified through on-line search of databases. Seniors with diabetes are
more likely to experience falls, depression, and frailty. Furthermore, in older patients, diabetes has
been associated with disability, including basic and instrumental activities of daily living, and with poorer performance on
objective measures of physical function, such as sit-to-stand test, handgrip strength, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and
Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Diabetic seniors also have an altered gait pattern characterized by lower velocity
and stride length, and higher step width, stance time, double support time, and stride length variability compared to
non-diabetic seniors. Little is known about fear of falling in older adults with diabetes. The relationship between these
outcomes and diabetes in older people is still outstanding and merits further investigation.
