Plantar sensation, proprioception, and balance levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to compare plantar sensation, proprioception, and balance levels between pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and healthy pregnant women. Also, we aimed to investigate the relationship between parameters that were found to be different and sensory sensitivity, balance, and po-sition sense.Methods: Seventy-two pregnant women (35 with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and 37 controls) were included in this case-control study. Plantar sensory levels of the ankle joint (Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament-Test), position sense (digital inclinometer), and balance levels (Berg Balance Scale) were evaluated.Findings: The Gestational Diabetes Mellitus group could not detect small filament thickness in the heel region compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In the ankle proprioception measurements of the Gestational Diabetes Mellitus group, deviation angle values were higher (p < 0.05) and the balance level was lower compared to the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a positive correlation between glucose metabolism parameters and plantar sense and proprioception and a negative correlation with balance level (p < 0.05).Interpretation: Plantar sense in the heel area, ankle joint position, and balance level of pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus were lower than those of the healthy pregnant women. Disruption of glucose metabolite levels, which causes Gestational Diabetes Mellitus, is related to poorer balance, ankle position sense, and plantar sense in the heel. We recommend evaluating position sense and plantar sense for postural instability and risk of falling in pregnant women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.