Diabetes and prediabetes linked to poorer balance in adults aged 60 and over
In 1,218 NHANES adults aged 60 and over, diabetes and prediabetes were linked to poorer balance on the modified Romberg test; genetic analyses also supported an association between diabetes liability and higher fall risk. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
The study included 1,218 adults aged 60 and over from NHANES 2021–2023, classified as nondiabetic (248), prediabetic (690) or diabetic (280) by fasting glucose and HbA1c. [1]
In fully adjusted models, diabetes was strongly associated with impaired balance (β = -0.88; 95% CI: -1.33 to -0.44), and observational analyses linked diabetes and prediabetes to poorer balance. [1]
Mendelian randomization with diabetes-related genetic instruments supported an association between diabetes liability and increased fall risk. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Observational cross-sectional analysis with Mendelian randomization (abstract)
- Population / context
- 1,218 adults aged 60 and over from NHANES 2021–2023
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- May 20, 2026
Diabetes status and balance in 1,218 older NHANES adults
The study asked whether diabetes status relates to balance in older adults and whether genetic methods support a causal link. It used 1,218 adults aged 60 and over from the 2021–2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Based on fasting glucose and HbA1c, participants were classified as nondiabetic (248), prediabetic (690) or diabetic (280). Balance was measured with the modified Romberg test, and associations were examined with ordinal logistic regression.
Supporting source [1]
Adjusted link to impaired balance and genetic fall-risk signal
In fully adjusted models, diabetes was strongly associated with impaired balance (β = -0.88; 95% CI: -1.33 to -0.44). The abstract reports that observational analyses link both diabetes and prediabetes to poorer balance performance. A separate Mendelian randomization analysis used diabetes-related genetic instruments and supported an association between diabetes liability and increased fall risk. These are associations; the abstract does not show that diabetes causes balance loss in individuals.
Supporting source [1]
Abstract-only scope of the NHANES and genetic analyses
Only the abstract was available; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract gives the sample size, age group, diabetes classification, balance test and regression approach, but not follow-up length or how falls were recorded in the genetic analysis. The genetic instruments and their validity are not described in detail. The findings concern balance performance and fall risk in this older survey population, not proven prevention of falls.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract does not report follow-up length, how falls were recorded, or details and validity of the genetic instruments. Results are associations, not proof that diabetes causes balance loss in individuals.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Cheng K, Fakorede S, Lateef OM, Fakorede OS, Wang D, Liu X, Wang D. · europepmc.org · May 20, 2026