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- Title
Impact of Diabetic Complications on Balance and Falls: Contribution of the Vestibular System.
- Authors
D'Silva, Linda J.; Lin, James; Staecker, Hinrich; Whitney, Susan L.; Kluding, Patricia M.
- Abstract
Diabetes causes many complications, including retinopathy and peripheral neuropathy, which are well understood as contributing to gait instability and falls. A less understood complication of diabetes is the effect on the vestibular system. The vestibular system contributes significantly to balance in static and dynamic conditions by providing spatially orienting information. It is noteworthy that diabetes has been reported to affect vestibular function in both animal and clinical studies. Pathophysiological changes in peripheral and central vestibular structures due to diabetes have been noted. Vestibular dysfunction is associated with impaired balance and a higher risk of falls. As the prevalence of diabetes increases, so does the potential for falls due to diabetic complications. The purpose of this perspective article is to present evidence on the pathophysiology of diabetes-related complications and their influence on balance and falls, with specific attention to emerging evidence of vestibular dysfunction due to diabetes. Understanding this relationship may be useful for screening (by physical therapists) for possible vestibular dysfunction in people with diabetes and for further developing and testing the efficacy of interventions to reduce falls in this population.
- Subjects
DIABETES complications; INNER ear physiology; RISK factors of falling down; DIABETIC neuropathies; DIABETIC retinopathy; POSTURAL balance; ACCIDENTAL falls; INNER ear; MEDICAL needs assessment; ADVANCED glycation end-products; ANATOMY
- Publication
Physical Therapy, 2016, Vol 96, Issue 3, p400
- ISSN
0031-9023
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2522/ptj.20140604