Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskişehir, Turkey.
Department of Biostatistics, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, 26040 Eskişehir, Turkey.
Medicina (Kaunas). 2024 Aug 19;60(8):1349. doi: 10.3390/medicina60081349.
There is a lack of studies examining balance problems and Achilles tendon thickness in prediabetes despite their common occurrence in diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate Achilles tendon size and static and dynamic balance, as well as the role of the Achilles tendon in balance, in prediabetic patients. A total of 96 participants were divided into three groups: (1) the control group, consisting of participants without diabetes mellitus; (2) the prediabetes group; and (3) the diabetes mellitus group. Ultrasonographic measurements of Achilles tendon sizes (thickness, width and area) were performed. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale, and static balance (the Fall and Stability Indices) was assessed using a Tetrax device. The Self-Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs was utilized to identify neuropathic pain. In the prediabetes group, the median dynamic balance scores [54.0 (51.0-56.0)] were lower than those of the control group [55.0 (54.0-56.0)] but higher than those of the patients with diabetes mellitus [52.50 (49.0-54.25)]; however, this difference did not reach statistical significance. The ultrasonographic measurements of the Achilles tendon size were similar among the three groups. On the other hand, in the prediabetes group, a positive correlation was observed between the bilateral Achilles tendon anterior-posterior thickness and Fall Index score ( = 0.045), while a negative correlation was found between the left Achilles tendon anterior-posterior thickness and the Berg Balance Score ( = 0.045). In prediabetes, neither Achilles tendon size nor static or dynamic balance appears to be significantly affected. However, in prediabetic patients, increased Achilles tendon thickness appears to be associated with increased risk of falls and decreased balance.
尽管在糖尿病中经常出现平衡问题和跟腱厚度问题，但针对这些问题在糖尿病前期患者中的研究还很少。本研究旨在评估糖尿病前期患者的跟腱大小以及静态和动态平衡，并探讨跟腱在平衡中的作用。共有 96 名参与者被分为三组：（1）对照组，无糖尿病患者；（2）糖尿病前期组；（3）糖尿病组。使用超声测量跟腱大小（厚度、宽度和面积）。使用 Berg 平衡量表评估动态平衡，使用 Tetrax 设备评估静态平衡（跌倒和稳定性指数）。使用 Self-Leeds 评估神经病变症状和体征来识别神经病变性疼痛。在糖尿病前期组中，中位数动态平衡评分[54.0（51.0-56.0）]低于对照组[55.0（54.0-56.0）]，但高于糖尿病组[52.50（49.0-54.25）]；然而，这种差异没有达到统计学意义。三组的跟腱大小超声测量值相似。另一方面，在糖尿病前期组中，双侧跟腱前后厚度与跌倒指数评分呈正相关（ = 0.045），而左侧跟腱前后厚度与 Berg 平衡评分呈负相关（ = 0.045）。在糖尿病前期，跟腱大小或静态或动态平衡似乎都没有受到明显影响。然而，在糖尿病前期患者中，跟腱厚度增加似乎与跌倒风险增加和平衡能力下降有关。
