Influence of the body mass index on the occurrence of falls in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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 <35. A total symptom score ≥4 allowed the classification of 77.7% of the patients with falls and 59.5% with no falls. In adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a BMI ≥35 may have an influence on balance and the occurrence of falls, which might be independent from aging. Patients should be aware of this risk and receive counsel on modifiable risk factors.
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Otoneurología, México D.F., Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico.
Aline B
AB
Herrera-Rangel
Hospital Regional 72, Estado de México, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico.
Catalina
C
Aranda-Moreno
Hospital Regional 72, Estado de México, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico.
Teresa
T
Mantilla-Ochoa
Hospital de Pediatría, CMN sXXI, México D.F., Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico.
Lilia
L
Zainos-Saucedo
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Otoneurología, México D.F., Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico. Electronic address: kathrine.jauregui@imss.gob.mx.
Kathrine
K
Jáuregui-Renaud
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D004856:Postural Balance; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
Diabetes mellitus; Falls; Obesity