/Objective: In late adulthood, the increasing prevalence of diabetes overlaps with the highest prevalence of postural instability. A cross-sectional study was designed to explore the combined influence of age, gender, history of COVID-19 quadriceps strength, and Body Mass Index (B.M.I.) on the postural stability of adults with/without diabetes, under a variety of sensory conditions.
Audiologists and vestibular specialists should be aware that older patients with both a COVID-19 history and diabetes may present with earlier postural instability, potentially warranting proactive balance screening in this group — though the exploratory nature of this study warrants cautious interpretation.
Understanding how COVID-19 interacts with metabolic conditions like diabetes to affect balance expands the clinical picture for vestibular assessment in an ageing, post-pandemic population.
- 01Cross-sectional study explored postural instability in older adults with COVID-19 history and/or diabetes.
- 02Combined COVID-19 history and diabetes was associated with greater early postural instability.
- 03The study is exploratory, limiting causal conclusions.
- 04Findings suggest a potential need for earlier vestibular/balance screening in this dual-risk group.
- 05Mechanisms may involve peripheral neuropathy, inner ear involvement, or central neurological effects of COVID-19.
A history of COVID-19 combined with diabetes is associated with early postural instability in older adults.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42122911
- DOI
- 10.3390/jcm15093178.
- Journal
- Journal of Clinical Medicine
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 3
- Population
- Older adults with history of COVID-19 and/or diabetes
- Intervention
- COVID-19 history and diabetes as combined exposure
- Comparator
- Older adults without COVID-19 history or diabetes
Primary outcomes
Early postural instability measures in older adults