Functional mobility and executive function in elderly diabetics and non-diabetics.

BACKGROUND

Elderly diabetics tend to show cognitive deficits related to more complex processes such as the executive function, which can lead to a greater risk of falls.

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to compare the functional mobility, the risk of falls and the executive function among elderly with and without type 2 diabetes, and to check the correlation between these variables.

METHODS

Forty community elderly participated in the study and were divided into two groups: G1 elderly with type 2 diabetes and G2 elderly without diabetes, being the variables age, body mass index and gender similar between the groups. The functional mobility and the risk of falls were assessed by the "Timed Up and Go" test (TUG and cognitive TUG) and the executive function was assessed by the Verbal Fluency Test (VFT) (animal category).

RESULTS

Elderly with diabetes showed worse performance in the verbal fluency test (G1:14.9 ± 4.5; G2:17.7 ± 5.6; p = 0.031). A statistically between-group difference was observed regarding the functional mobility; being the G1 presenting worse performance in TUG (G1:10.5 ± 1.8 sec; G2:8.9 ± 1.9 sec; p = 0.01) and cognitive TUG (G1:13.9 ± 3.2 sec; G2:10.9 ± 2.3 sec; p = 0.004) tests. A significant correlation was observed between the cognitive TUG and VFT only in G1 (G1: Spearman's rho = -0.535; p = 0.015; G2: Spearman's rho =-0.250; p = 0.288).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetics presented worse performance in the functional mobility and in the verbal fluency test than non-diabetics elderly that suggests a greater risk of falls for the elderly with diabetes. The inclusion of these evaluation parameters for diabetics on the physical therapy clinical practice is crucial in order to maintain the functionality and to prevent falls.