Falls in Elderly Patients With Diabetes Mellitus on Insulin Therapy And/ Or Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs
Abstract
Objectives Falls are a major cause of disability and a preventable cause of death in older people. Diabetes mellitus prevalence increases with age. A study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality in America found that in 2010, diabetes-related emergency department visit rates were highest for patients aged 65 and older. The complications of diabetes may lead to an increased risk of falls in older diabetic patients. Methods This is a descriptive cross sectional study to describe the prevalence of falls among diabetic elderly and to compare the prevalence between patients on insulin therapy and patients on oral hypoglycemic drugs in Sulaimaniyah, Iraqi kurdistan for one year from 1st of July 2014 to 31st of June 2015. Results One hundred and fifty elderly diabetic patients with history of fall were included in This study, 88 (59%) were females and 62 (41%) were males. Their ages ranged between 65 – 90 years, mean age was 77.7 ± 7.11 year, and the mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 15.12±7.36 year. The prevalence of falls increased significantly with increasing age, longer duration of diabetes, treatment with insulin therapy and sulfonylurea, patients with poor diabetic control, patients on poly pharmacy, those requiring assistance with mobility : for those mobile with a stick and frame, those who had suffered peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthritis, retinopathy, cardiac problems, previous stroke, patients who live in institution, those living alone, smokers and alcoholics. Conclusion Poorly controlled diabetes, treatment with insulin therapy and to some extend sulfonylurea, and conditions associated with complications of diabetes are associated with an increased risk of falling in older people.
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