Ricerc@Sapienza

Due to sensorimotor dysfunctions, falls are frequent and dire in older type 2 diabetes patients (T2D). Susceptibility to falls results from multiple interacting and environmental factors. Three common microvascular complications of diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy and vestibulopathy, are established contributors to increased postural sway and falls. Hypoglycemia itself can also cause falls in these patients. Furthermore, since T2D involves an increased risk of osteoporosis and fragility fractures, falls can be particularly alarming in these patients. For this purpose, this Research Unit aims to search for diagnostic tools that should accurately reproduce falls and recoveries under the controlled conditions of a day-hospital or laboratory setting.