Falling can significantly reduce life expectancy for people with diabetes due to a complex interplay of factors related to the disease’s effects on the body, the severity of injuries sustained, and the challenges in recovery. Diabetes, especially when poorly controlled, causes damage to multiple organ systems and impairs the body’s ability to heal, making falls more dangerous and their consequences more severe.
People with diabetes often suffer from complications such as peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage that reduces sensation in the feet and legs. This loss of feeling makes it harder for them to detect hazards or maintain balance, increasing the risk of falls. When a fall occurs, the lack of sensation can also delay recognition of injury, leading to delayed treatment and worsening outcomes.
Moreover, diabetes impairs circulation due to damage to blood vessels (both microvascular and macrovascular complications). Poor blood flow slows wound healing and increases the risk of infections, which are common after fall-related injuries like fractures or skin wounds. Infections in diabetic patients can escalate quickly, sometimes leading to severe complications such as ulcers or even amputations, which further reduce mobility and independence.
Bone health is another critical factor. Diabetes is associated with lower bone quality and increased risk of osteoporosis, making fractures more likely and more severe when falls happen. Hip fractures, in particular, are common and devastating in older adults with diabetes. Such fractures often require surgery and prolonged rehabilitation, but diabetes complicates recovery by increasing the risk of surgical complications, infections, and delayed healing.
The aftermath of a fall often leads to a decline in physical function. For elderly diabetic patients, this decline can be dramatic. After hospitalization for fall-related injuries, many lose their ability to live independently. Reduced mobility can lead to muscle wasting, further balance problems, and increased risk of subsequent falls, creating a vicious cycle. Loss of independence and mobility also contribute to social isolation, depression, and poorer overall health, all of which negatively impact life expectancy.
Additionally, diabetes is linked to other chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and kidney problems, which can be exacerbated by the stress and immobility following a fall. The combination of these factors increases the likelihood of fatal outcomes after a fall.
In summary, falling reduces life expectancy in people with diabetes because the disease’s complications increase the risk of falls, worsen injury severity, impair healing, and complicate recovery. The resulting loss of mobility and independence, combined with the presence of other diabetes-related health issues, leads to a higher risk of premature death.