The contribution of vestibular dysfunction to the development of imbalance in type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic polyneuropathy

   Body balance is maintained thanks to the coordinated work of the proprioceptive, visual and vestibular systems. Diabetes mellitus affects each of these systems, leading to the development of postural instability and an increased risk of falls in this group of patients. The high incidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy has prompted detailed study of these conditions. It has been established that these conditions, leading to reduced visual acuity, sensory deficits and sensory ataxia, impair stability and increase the frequency of falls. At the same time, there is evidence of the potentially damaging effect of diabetes mellitus on the vestibular system with the development of subclinical vestibulopathy. Since the vestibular system plays an essential role in maintaining balance, timely detection of relevant disorders can be of considerable value in developing measures to prevent falls in this group of patients. Meanwhile, the prevalence and precise mechanisms of damage to the vestibular system in diabetes remain unclear, and the results of studies conducted in this area are characterised by high methodological and statistical heterogeneity, which makes it difficult to draw a single conclusion.

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