Prevalence and Factors Associated with Falls among Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Laemsing Hospital, Chanthaburi Province
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Abstract
This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study aimed at investigating the factors associated with falls among older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus at Laemsing Hospital, Chanthaburi Province. The sample consisted of 254 older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received care at Laemsing Hospital. Participants were selected using purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria. The research instruments included a personal information questionnaire, a peripheral neuropathy assessment, a gait and balance assessment, the Thai DN4 (Douleur Neuropathique) questionnaire, and the SARC-F questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, Fisher’s exact test, Independent t-tests, and binary logistic regression.
The results showed that: (1) The prevalence of falls among older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus was 24.8%; and 2) Factors significantly associated with falls were peripheral neuropathy and risk of sarcopenia (Adjusted OR = 2.96, 95% CI = 1.14 - 7.69, p = .026 and Adjusted OR = 3.29, 95% CI = 1.51 - 7.14, p = .003, respectively). Together, these two variables explained 12.2% of the variance in fall incidence among older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Based on the findings of this study, healthcare providers should emphasize the assessment and prevention of peripheral neuropathy and the risk of low muscle mass in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
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