Dual Task–Related Changes in Gait Performance in Older Adults: A New Way of Predicting Recurrent Falls?

P 5.002), but no association was found between LLN and the presence of DM or different NMCs on univariate multiple logistic regression (P 5.73). Patients with DM are usually recognized as being at high risk for foot-related complications, although the risk of developing a foot ulcer is often underestimated in patients with different NMCs (e.g., hemiplegia, paraplegia, alcoholic neuropathy, neurodegenerative diseases, human immunodeficiency virus, acquire immunodeficiency syndrome). The risk of foot lesions in these persons is as high as in those with DM, and thus, they should be screened and evaluated regularly. The neuropathy prevalence, as tested according to the evaluation of vibration sensitivity, may be underestimated in the presence of cognitive impairment (dementia, Alzheimer’s disease). This study showed a significantly lower prevalence in patients with dementia (61.9% vs 69.2%, P 5.02). The real prevalence of neuropathy and that of at-risk foot could be even higher in long-term hospitals with a high prevalence of cognitive impairment. In conclusion, the prevalence of at-risk foot in a mixed population of patients with multiple comorbidities and disability is high and may be underestimated in patients without DM suffering from neurological disorders and patients without diagnosed DM or loss of pain sensation of other origins. The prevalence of risk factors associated with the at-risk foot can be particularly high in long-term hospitals and nursing homes, as well as in institutions caring for older patients and those with dementia. Thus, in such institutions, screening for LLN and PVD should be performed regularly.