Association of Fatigue with Physical Functioning, Postural Balance, and Fall Efficacy in Women with and without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly impacts patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), affecting physical, psychological, social, and emotional well-being. This study examined the differences in fatigue, postural balance, fall efficacy, and HRQoL among patients with and without type 2 diabetes across these critical domains. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 37 females with type 2 diabetes (mean age 52.9 ± 7.3 years) who were recruited from a diabetes clinic, along with 16 healthy female participants. Fatigue, postural balance, fall efficacy, and HRQoL were measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale, Berg Balance Scale, the International Fall Efficacy Scale, and the 36-item Short-Form Survey questionnaire, respectively. Results: Fatigue scores were significantly higher in people with type 2 diabetes than healthy participants (d= 0.457; p= -0.01). No statistically significant differences in HRQoL were found between the groups, except for role limitations due to emotional problems (d = 0.36, p = 0.013) and social functioning (d = 0.51, p < 0.01). Participants with type 2 diabetes showed no significant differences in postural balance and fall efficacy compared to healthy subjects (p > 0.05). However, fatigue emerged as a significant predictor of physical functioning in individuals with type 2 diabetes but not in healthy participants. Conclusion: In conclusion, individuals with type 2 diabetes experience significantly higher fatigue levels, which predict physical functioning, while reporting greater limitations in social functioning and emotional health compared to healthy participants. Identifying these differences guides healthcare professionals in designing more personalized care strategies for individuals with type 2 diabetes.