Evaluation of postural stability in elderly with diabetic neuropathy.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare clinical and biomechanical characteristics of balance in diabetic polyneuropathic elderly patients and normal age-matched subjects.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Fifteen elderly with distal neuropathy (DNP) and 15 healthy age-matched subjects were evaluated with the biomechanical variable COP-COM, which represents the distance between the center of pressure (COP) and the center of mass (COM). Measurements were taken in the quiet position with a double-leg stance, in eyes-open (EO) and eyes-closed (EC) conditions. Subjects were also assessed with clinical balance evaluations.

RESULTS

The COP-COM variable was statistically significantly larger in the DNP group than in the healthy group in anterior-posterior (A/P) and medial-lateral (M/L) directions. Furthermore, the DNP group showed statistically significantly larger amplitudes of the COP-COM variable without vision. The severity of the neuropathy, as quantified using the Valk scoring system, was correlated with COP-COM amplitude in both directions.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of the postural stability of an elderly diabetic population using the COP-COM variable can detect a very small change in postural stability and could be helpful in identifying elderly with DNP at risk of falling.