title: Somatosensation Differences in Older Adults with and Without Diabetes, and by Age Group.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine differences in somatosensation between older adults with and without type 2 diabetes among three age groups (60s, 70s, and 80s). We recruited 67 adults with type 2 diabetes and 67 age-matched adults without diabetes, aged 60-85. Data were collected using measures in Somatosensory Domain of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Toolbox. We found significant differences in the total scores of five tests examining kinesthesia, tactile sensation, and stereognosis among the three age groups. For all significant differences, the nondiabetes group and those in their 60s and 70s had better functioning than the diabetes group and those in their 80s. The NIH Toolbox-Somatosensory Tools used in this study may be more suitable to discriminate among age groups rather than diagnostic groups.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Occupational Therapy , College of Allied Health Sciences, East Carolina University , Greenville , NC , USA.
authors.forename: Young
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Joo Kim
authors.affiliation: b Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Joan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.affiliation: c Spine and Orthopedic Center , Santa Barbara , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Garrick
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.affiliation: d Department of Occupational Therapy Education, School of Allied Health , University of Kansas Medical Center , Kansas City , KS , USA.
authors.forename: Winifred
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.affiliation: b Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences , University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh , PA , USA.
authors.forename: Margo B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Holm
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001315:Australia; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007615:Kansas; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio; D010414:Pennsylvania; D020886:Somatosensory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*
keywords: Diabetes mellitus; NIH toolbox; diabetic neuropathy; older adults; somatosensation