Hyperglycemia induces attention and gait deficits in diabetic mellitus patients.

AIMS: Patients with diabetes mellitus experience a large number of falls and bone fractures that are not related solely to complications of the disease. The purpose of our study was to determine whether transient hyperglycemia affects attentional functions and gait.

METHODS: This was a case-control study. We asked 17 patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus to perform three visual tests and one visual and auditory attention test (Phasic Alert A1-4 and A2-3, Go/No Go, Intermodal Comparison). Mean response time (ms) and total number of errors were assessed. Ten of the patients also performed a tandem gait test consisting of three steps. The total distance travelled (TDT, in mm) by the center of pressure was measured with a pressure-sensitive calibrated platform. Transient hyperglycemia was defined as blood glucose level greater than 13, 8 mmol/L at the time of the test. These same patients were retested 1-3 days later at a blood glucose level at least 5, 5 mmol/L lower than the initial values (T24-72h). Nineteen patients with diabetes mellitus were matched with the original participants and performed the same test under normoglycemic conditions.

RESULTS: During transient hyperglycemia, the mean response time (ms) and the TDT were significantly longer. The mean response time for the four tests increased by 53, 5 ms (P < 0.001). There was no increase in the number of errors. The TDT of the center of pressure increased significantly by 102 mm (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Transient hyperglycemia alters attention and gait in patients with diabetes mellitus.