Falls, fear of falling, and related factors in patients with diabetic foot disease

Background

Falls and fear of falling (FOF) are common in patients with diabetic foot disease (DFD).

Purpose

To understand the relationship between falls, FOF, and related factors in patients with DFD.

Method

We recruited 70 patients being treated for DFD at two hospitals in Korea. A structured questionnaire was used in investigating fall experience, FOF, and related factors.

Results

Among the participants, 42.8 % fell in the past year, and FOF was reported in 57.1 %. Rates of “no caregiver,” “DFD duration (>1 year),” and “burning pain” were higher in fallers than non-fallers. The rates of “older adults (≥65 years of age),” “unemployed,” “not using assistive devices,” “visual impairment,” and “hearing impairment” were higher in patients with FOF than in those without FOF. However, the level of balance confidence was lower in patients with FOF.

Conclusions

The fall experience of patients with DFD was associated with the presence of their caregiver, disease-related factors, and foot pain symptoms, while FOF was related to age and fall-related factors.