Peripheral neuropathy, impaired standing balance and falls in older adults

Esmeralda Cortes López, María del Pilar Vargas Escamilla and Monzerrath Cruz Morales

SAP Podiatry, 2024

Abstract: Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy reduces plantar sensory input and may compromise standing balance and increase falls in older adults. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of pooled National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Impaired standing balance on the modified Romberg test was analyzed in adults aged 60 years and over from NHANES 2001-2004; self-reported falling problems in the past 12 months were analyzed in adults aged 60 years and over from NHANES 1999-2004. Peripheral neuropathy was defined as one or more insensate plantar sites on 10-g monofilament testing. Survey-weighted logistic regression was adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity and diabetes. Results: Among 2,410 participants with balance data, impaired standing balance affected 70.7% of those with neuropathy versus 57.6% of those without (adjusted odds ratio 1.50, 95% CI 1.12-2.00). Among 4,177 participants with falls data, falling problems were reported by 13.7% versus 5.8% (adjusted odds ratio 2.24, 95% CI 1.68-2.99). Conclusions: Monofilament-detected peripheral neuropathy was associated with impaired standing balance and self-reported falls in older adults.

Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cwf:podart:pod2024112

DOI: 10.62486/pod2024112

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