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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Diabetes | Research

Risk factors for falls in older adults with diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Larissa Barros Freire, Joaquim Pereira Brasil-Neto, Marianne Lucena da Silva, Milena Gonçalves Cruz Miranda, Lorrane de Mattos Cruz, Wagner Rodrigues Martins, Leonardo Petrus da Silva Paz

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Aim

To identify risk factors for falls in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Methods

The eligible studies identified factors associated with the risk of falls in older adults with T2DM. We searched PubMed, Cinahl, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases. The review has been updated and the last review date was November 30, 2023 (CRD42020193461).

Results

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, and eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. These studies included a total of 40,778 older adults with T2DM, aged 60 to 101 years. The risk of developing the outcome falls in older adults with T2DM is 63% higher compared to the risk in older adults without T2DM (HR 1.63; 95% CI [1.30 - 2.05]). The overall chance of falling in older adults with T2DM is 59% higher than that of non-diabetic older adults (OR 1.59; 95% CI [1.36 -1.87]), and in older adults with T2DM who take insulin the chance of falling is 162% higher (OR 2.62; 95% CI [1.87 - 3.65]). No results on diabetic polyneuropathy were found in the studies.

Conclusion

Older adults with T2DM present a higher risk of falls compared to non-diabetics. Among the included older adults with T2DM, the most important factor associated with a higher risk of falls was insulin use.

Trial registration

Registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020193461).

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Title: Risk factors for falls in older adults with diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Larissa Barros Freire
Joaquim Pereira Brasil-Neto
Marianne Lucena da Silva
Milena Gonçalves Cruz Miranda
Lorrane de Mattos Cruz
Wagner Rodrigues Martins
Leonardo Petrus da Silva Paz
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes
Insulins
Insulins
Polyneuropathy
Published in: BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-04668-0

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