Fall Risk and Lower Extremity Strength in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Older Adults: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

• Maimoona Shahid, CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of DentistryFollow
• Yasha Sajjad, CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of DentistryFollow
• Shumail Fatima, CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of DentistryFollow
• Ayesha Tuba, CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of DentistryFollow
• Wajida Perveen, CMH Lahore Medical College & IOD LahoreFollow
• Asim Raza, CMH Lahore Medical College and Institute of DentistryFollow

Abstract

Purpose: Many studies have been conducted on falls in individuals older than 60 years of age with diabetes, so the current study focused on comparing and contrasting the fall risk and lower extremity strength in diabetic and non-diabetic people of 50 years of age and above and early identification of fall risk. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study recruited 210 older adults 50 years of age and older from community dwelling areas. Thirty-one (31) participants were healthy and free of diabetes, while 179 of the same age range were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. The study was conducted over a period of six months. For muscle strength, the five times sit to stand test (5-STS) was utilized; and for balance, the time up and go (TUG) test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and one leg stance (OLS) were used for balance. The Mann Whitney Test was applied to compare groups using SPSS 26. Results: Thirty seven percent (37.4) of participants in the diabetic group reported a history of falls while 25.8% of participants in in the non- diabetic group reported previous falls. The p-value was only significant for BBS (p= 0.0001) with moderate effect size (r=0.3). In women, the BBS showed moderate effect sizes with r=0.352. Additionally, small effect sizes were noticed for OLS with r= 0.246 for eyes open and r=0.255 for eyes closed. In diabetic participants less than 60 years old, the BBS was slightly affected with r=0.233, and in participants more than 60 years of age small to medium changes in effect sizes of all measures of balance were reported except for the TUG. Conclusion: More falls were reported in the diabetic group, and the BBS scores were moderately affected by diabetes in women 50-60 years of age. No differences were reported in lower extremity strength between both groups. Findings from this study provide valuable insights to multidisciplinary teams dealing with diabetic populations to prioritize assessments of balance and fall risks in in this population older and particularly women with diabetes in order to prompt early intervention and prevention of fall-related mortality.

Author Bio(s)

1. Maimoona Shahid, PT is recent graduate from undergraduate physical therapy program and she is currently serving as an house officer at CMH LMC & IOD, Pakistan.

2. Yasha Sajjad, DPT, MS-PT, CHPE is currently working as a lecturer and research supervisor to undergraduate physical therapy students at CMH LMC & IOD, Pakistan

3. Shumail Fatima, PT is recent graduate from undergraduate physical therapy program and she is currently serving as an house officer at CMH LMC & IOD, Pakistan.

4. Ayesha Tuba, PT is recent graduate from undergraduate physical therapy program and she is currently serving as an house officer at CMH LMC & IOD, Pakistan.

5. Wajida Perveen, BS-PT, t-DPT, MS-PT, PhD* is currently associate professor and Head of Department for undergraduate physical therapy program at CMH LMC & IOD, Pakistan.

6. Asim Raza is assistant professor and biostatistician at School of Allied Health Sciences, CMH LMC & IOD, Pakistan

Recommended Citation

Shahid M, Sajjad Y, Fatima S, Tuba A, Perveen W, Raza A. Fall Risk and Lower Extremity Strength in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Older Adults: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2026 Jun 01;24(2), Article 7.