title: Achilles tendinopathy in elderly subjects with type II diabetes: the role of sport activities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exercise is an important therapeutic tool in the management of diabetes in older people. Aim of this study was to assess the relationship among type II diabetes, sport, overweight, and symptomatic Achilles tendinopathy in elderly subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight patients suffering from Achilles tendinopathy and thirty-eight controls were enrolled. The prevalence of diabetes and sport practice as well as BMI and Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) values were registered. An ultrasound evaluation of Achilles tendon was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients showed an increased prevalence of diabetes (42 vs. 13.1 %, p = 0.004), and practice of sport (60.5 vs. 28.9 %, p = 0.0001), and higher BMI values (26.8 ± 3 vs. 24.8 ± 2.3, p = 0.001). Sonographic abnormalities, being diagnostic criteria, were present in all the patients with Achilles tendinopathy, but signs of degeneration were also found in 36.8 % of asymptomatic controls. Symptomatic subjects with diabetes, compared to those without, showed a higher prevalence of severe degeneration (75 vs. 36.3 %, p = 0.01). HbA1c values were significantly lower in sport practitioners, both diabetics and non-diabetics. Moreover, patients practicing sport showed a trend towards lower BMI values, compared to the sedentary counterpart.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sport practice in elderly diabetics provides relevant metabolic advantages, reducing HbA1c and BMI. However, some sport activities (e.g., speed walking, jogging or tennis) can expose to the risk of Achilles tendinopathy. So, sport practice should be encouraged, but practitioners should follow individual training programs and be submitted to periodic sonographic controls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013, Chieti Scalo, CH, Italy. m.abate@unich.it.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abate
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013, Chieti Scalo, CH, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Salini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, University G. d'Annunzio, Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013, Chieti Scalo, CH, Italy.
authors.forename: Cosima
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schiavone
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D000368:Aged; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D015995:Prevalence; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin
keywords: Adiposity; Aging; Diabetes; Sport; Ultrasonography