Falls in older persons with type 2 diabetes in the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study
Wan Feng Ong1, Shahrul B Kamaruzzaman1,2, Maw Pin Tan1,2,3
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Introduction:
Older persons with diabetes are at an increased risk of falls leading to fractures, head injuries and disability.
Objective:
To evaluate the potential relationship between falls and diabetes in older persons and identify differences in risk factors of falls among older persons with and without diabetes using the first wave dataset of the Malaysian Elders Longitudinal Research (MELoR) study.
Methodology:
Community dwelling adults aged 55 years were selected through stratified random sampling from three parliamentary constituencies in greater Kuala Lumpur. Baseline data was obtained through computer-assisted, home-based interviews. The presence of falls was established by enquiring about falls in the preceding 12 months. Diabetes was defined as self-reported, physician-diagnosed diabetes, diabetes medication use and an HbA1c of 6.3%.
Results:
Diabetes was present in 44.4% of the overall 1610 participants. The prevalence for fall among older diabetics was 25.6%. Recurrent falls (odds ratio (OR) 1.65; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-2.57) was more common among diabetics. Following adjustment for potential confounders, osteoporosis (OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.31-5.08) and dizziness (OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.01-2.23) were independent risk factors for falls. Better instrumental activities of daily living scores were protective against falls (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.58-0.97).
Conclusion:
The presence of osteoporosis and dizziness was associated with an increased risk of falls among older diabetics. These findings will need to be confirmed in future prospective follow-up of this cohort.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
Carbohydrate Metabolism
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption


