Diabetes increases disability in older women

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Diabetes increases disability in older women

NEW YORK, Jan 17 (Reuters Health) - Older women with type 2 diabetes are

not only at risk for serious medical complications but are also less

able to perform day-to-day tasks such as walking two blocks or doing

housework, researchers report.

In a study of more than 8,000 US women aged 65 and older, investigators

found that those with diabetes were about twice as likely to have some

type of limitation that affected their ability to get through the day.

While nearly 10% of women with diabetes had some type of functional

disability, about 5% of non-diabetic women did, the report indicates.

Each year during the 12-year study, for instance, just over 4% of women

with diabetes reported that they could not walk two blocks, compared

with about 2% of healthy women. Between 1% and 2% of diabetic women said

they were unable to prepare meals, compared with less than 1% of those

without diabetes. The relationship between diabetes and disability was

stronger among women aged 65 to 69 than among older women.

The findings underscore the extent to which type 2 diabetes, which is

partly hereditary and partly influenced by diet and exercise, can erode

quality of life, the researchers report in the January issue of Diabetes

Care.

" Although diabetes is often accompanied by vascular and neuropathic

(disorders), the threats of physical disability, loss of independence,

and diminished quality of life may ultimately be the greatest concern

for many with the disease, " according to Dr. W. Gregg, from the

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, and

colleagues.

The study, which found that weight, age and vision problems increased

the risk of having a disability while the past use of estrogen and

exercise decreased the risk, also indicates that certain interventions

may help.

" Lifestyle-based weight loss interventions or clinical management of

(heart disease) and related risk factors could improve physical

functioning, " the authors suggest.

According to the report, the majority of Americans with diabetes will be

65 and older by the year 2025.

More than 6% of the women in the study had been diagnosed with diabetes.

These women were more likely than their healthy peers to be overweight,

report symptoms of depression and have high blood pressure, vision

problems, arthritis and heart disease. They were less likely to take

estrogen replacement therapy and to walk for exercise.

SOURCE: Diabetes Care 2002;25:61-67.