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Body sway in diabetic neuropathy
L Uccioli1, P G Giacomini, G Monticone
1Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.
Diabetes Care
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients significantly impairs body sway and postural control. Posturography can detect these balance deficits early, even before symptoms appear.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Diabetology
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus.
- Diabetic neuropathy can affect sensory and motor functions, potentially impacting balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the influence of peripheral neuropathy on body sway using posturography.
- To assess postural control deficits in diabetic patients with and without neuropathy.
Main Methods:
- An age-matched study compared 10 diabetic patients with neuropathy (DN), 23 diabetic patients without neuropathy (D), and 21 controls (C).
- Posturography was used to assess body sway.
- Subjects with existing postural instability symptoms were excluded.
Main Results:
- Diabetic patients with neuropathy (DN) exhibited significantly larger trace surface and longer trace length compared to controls (C) and diabetics without neuropathy (D).
- Mean velocity of sway was significantly faster in the DN group.
- A direct relationship was observed between posturography parameters and nerve conduction velocity.
Conclusions:
- Diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy show impaired postural control and increased body sway.
- Posturography is a valuable tool for early detection of postural control failure in diabetic neuropathy.