Abstract P305: Peripheral Neuropathy is Associated With Slow Gait Speed in Older Adults in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral neuropathy (PN) (decreased sensation in the foot) is associated with falls and mortality. Small studies have found an association between slow gait speed and PN, primarily in adults with diabetes, but evidence is limited in adults without diabetes. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that PN is associated with slow gait speed in older adults. Methods: We performed a non-concurrent cross-sectional analysis of 360 participants in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study who completed standardized monofilament testing for PN at visit 6 (2016-2017) and Zeno Walkway mat-sensor gait testing at visit 8 (2019-2020). Gait speed was assessed categorically (normal (≥1.0m/s) or slow (<1.0m/s)) and continuously. Logistic and linear regression were used to examine the association between PN and slow gait speed overall and stratified by diabetes status after adjusting for traditional risk factors. Results: The prevalence of PN was 32.2% (34% in adults with diabetes and 30% in adults without diabetes). Slow gait speed was observed in 53% of patients with PN compared to 40% of patients without PN (p=0.022). In adjusted models, PN was significantly associated with slow (categorical) and slower (continuous) gait speed in the overall sample, and these associations were particularly robust among adults without diabetes ( Table ). Conclusions: PN was associated with slow gait speed in a community-dwelling cohort of older adults. The specific association of PN and slow gait speed in persons without diabetes is novel. Despite a relatively small sample size, the difference between PN and non-PN participants’ continuous gait speeds exceeded the accepted threshold for clinically meaningful differences (generally >0.05m/s). A better understanding of additional PN-specific gait changes may help elucidate mechanisms underlying the association of PN with slow gait, falls, and mortality.