The association between peripheral neuropathy and daily-life gait quality characteristics in people with diabetes

Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes and increases the risk of falls, possibly through gait (quality) impairments in daily life. Characteristics of gait quality have been associated with peripheral neuropathy in a laboratory setting, but little is known about the more relevant association with gait quality in daily life.

What is the association between peripheral neuropathy and gait quality characteristics in daily life in people with diabetes?

Data from two cross-sectional studies were combined in an exploratory analysis, including a total of 98 participants with diabetes (mean age: 68 (SD 7) years, 32 females), of which 68 with peripheral neuropathy. Participants wore a tri-axial accelerometer for seven consecutive days. Walking episodes ≥5 seconds were identified and analysed to determine various gait quality characteristics. Associations were assessed using linear regression analyses, adjusted for walking speed and other potential confounders.

Peripheral neuropathy was significantly associated with a lower walking speed (people with neuropathy: 0.81 vs without neuropathy: 0.88 m/s; β (95 % confidence interval (CI)): -0.114 (-0.202 to -0.026)), a lower stride frequency (0.81 vs 0.85 strides/s; β (95 % CI): -0.030 (-0.057 to -0.003)), lower gait intensity (i.e. lower root mean square) in vertical direction (1.38 vs 1.63 m/s²; β (95 % CI): -0.074 (-0.143 to -0.006)), and less gait symmetry (i.e. lower harmonic ratio) in vertical direction (1.82 vs 2.27; β (95 % CI): -0.322 (-0.474 to -0.170)). People with peripheral neuropathy had non-significantly poorer gait quality for most of the other 21 gait quality characteristics.

Peripheral neuropathy seems to negatively affect several gait quality characteristics measured in daily life. These results need to be replicated in future studies and may help to develop targeted gait training to improve gait quality and potentially reduce fall risk in people with diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.