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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Feb 28;24(1):201.
doi: 10.1186/s12877-024-04668-0.

Risk factors for falls in older adults with diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis

Larissa Barros Freire  1 , Joaquim Pereira Brasil-Neto  2 , Marianne Lucena da Silva  3 , Milena Gonçalves Cruz Miranda  4 , Lorrane de Mattos Cruz  4 , Wagner Rodrigues Martins  5 , Leonardo Petrus da Silva Paz  6   7
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Risk factors for falls in older adults with diabetes mellitus: systematic review and meta-analysis

Larissa Barros Freire et al. BMC Geriatr. .

Abstract

Aim: To identify risk factors for falls in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: The eligible studies identified factors associated with the risk of falls in older adults with T2DM. We searched PubMed, Cinahl, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases. The review has been updated and the last review date was November 30, 2023 (CRD42020193461).

Results: Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria, and eight studies were included in the meta-analysis. These studies included a total of 40,778 older adults with T2DM, aged 60 to 101 years. The risk of developing the outcome falls in older adults with T2DM is 63% higher compared to the risk in older adults without T2DM (HR 1.63; 95% CI [1.30 - 2.05]). The overall chance of falling in older adults with T2DM is 59% higher than that of non-diabetic older adults (OR 1.59; 95% CI [1.36 -1.87]), and in older adults with T2DM who take insulin the chance of falling is 162% higher (OR 2.62; 95% CI [1.87 - 3.65]). No results on diabetic polyneuropathy were found in the studies.

Conclusion: Older adults with T2DM present a higher risk of falls compared to non-diabetics. Among the included older adults with T2DM, the most important factor associated with a higher risk of falls was insulin use.

Trial registration: Registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42020193461).

Keywords: Accidental falls; Falls; Older adults; Risk of falls; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses of the study selection process (PRISMA). Modified from: Moher et al. The PRISMA Group (2009). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The PRISMA Statement. PLoS Med 6(7): e1000097. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed1000097
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot showing increased risk of falls among elderly people with diabetes compared to non-diabetics (HR, 95% confidence interval)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Forest plot showing increased risk of falls among elderly people with diabetes compared to non-diabetics (OR and 95% CI, random model)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Forest plot showing increased risk of falls among elderly people with insulin-dependent diabetes compared to non-insulin-dependent diabetics (HR and 95% CI, random model)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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