Name: Marianni Barros da Cunha
Type: MSc dissertation
Publication date: 15/05/2019
Advisor:

Name	Role
Jovana Gobbi Marchesi Ciriaco	Advisor *

Examining board:

Name	Role
Jovana Gobbi Marchesi Ciriaco	Advisor *
MARINA CUNHA SILVA PAZOLINI	Internal Examiner *
Renato Lirio Morelato	External Examiner *

Summary: Introduction: Population aging has been striking in recent years with some peculiarities that may affect this age group. As the age progresses, there may be a decrease in reflex mechanisms and a change in balance. In this way, the elderly are more predisposed to fall. Patients affected by diabetes mellitus (DM) present complications related to their own disease, but also, economic and social repercussions. Among the complications related to DM are falls. The falls have a negative impact on the health and quality of life of elderly patients, besides interfering their functionality. Objectives: To identify the variables that contribute to the balance alterations that may favor postural instability and falls between groups of elderly patients, with type 2 DM and without glycemic alteration. Method: The study is retrospective with data from 01/05/2017 to 01/10/2018. A sample of elderly patients (older than 60 years) was allocated to two groups: patients with type 2 DM and patients without glycemic alterations treated at the Hospital Universitário Cassiano Antônio Moraes - HUCAM. The variables include demographic data referring to the population studied and data obtained by the General Geriatric Assessment (AGA) as well as the investigation of life habits, sensory deficits, polypharmacy and drug adherence, fear of falling, foot characteristics and subjective evaluation of the residence. Results: It was observed that there was no statistical difference in relation to the number of falls between groups. However, in type 2 DM patients, there was a risk of increased falls, and a greater fear of falling, lower gait velocity, lower palmar grip strength, greater risk of falls by Tinetti's Scale and greater functional commitment. Conclusion: Diabetics presented greater susceptibility to falls related to the inherent alterations of aging in addition to the complications of the disease. The tools for evaluating the condition of falls should be used together to improve diagnostic accuracy and help prevent them conducting more focused appointments on the elderly and diabetics.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus. Falls. Elderly. Functionality. Posture and gait.