Open AccessThe Effect of Physical Activity, Neuropathy, and Gender on People with Diabetes on Balance: A Cross-sectional Study
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
iranian red crescent medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2074-1804
DOI - 10.32592/ircmj.2022.24.3.1516
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , balance (ability) , cross sectional study , peripheral neuropathy , population , diabetic neuropathy , physical therapy , bayesian multivariate linear regression , disease , linear regression , endocrinology , pathology , environmental health , machine learning , computer science
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD).Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between demographic and clinical data with balance impairments in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), considering the importance of early detection of balance impairments in this population.Methods: Forty-three patients with DPN were evaluated in this cross-sectional study. Age, disease duration, height, weight, and physical activity, along with blood sugar samples and neuropathy disability scores were collected to explore correlations with the balance evaluation system test (BESTest) in this population.Results: A significant weak to moderate correlations was found between physical activity (p-value=0.046/ CC= 0.286), severity of neuropathy (p-value=0.025/ CC= -0.317), and gender (p-value=0.032/ CC= -0.311) with BESTest, using multivariate linear regression analysis.Conclusion: It is recommended that diabetic patients with a sedentary lifestyle, more severe scores on neuropathy screening instruments, and female patients be referred for early screening of balance disorders regardless of age and disease duration. Also, increasing physical activity to prevent balance impairments in the future can be recommended.