Factors associated with the functional balance among diabetes mellitus patients in Padang, Indonesia

One of the common problems in patients with diabetes mellitus is a decrease in balance stability. A decrease in balance stability will result in functional limitations, an increased risk of falling and injury and a decrease in patient productivity. This study aimed to analyse the factors associated with functional balance in diabetes mellitus patients in Padang, Indonesia. This research design is crosssectional. The number of samples in this study was 132 diabetes mellitus patients. Chi-square test and binary logistic regression were used to examine the factors associated with functional balance in diabates mellitus patients. Factors associated with functional balance in diabetes mellitus patients were age. This study highlights that age, gender and degree of neuropathy are significant factors associated with functional balance in diabetes mellitus patients. Nurses must enhance health education about prevention and risk factors that affect functional balance in diabetes mellitus patients.