Issue 96 Item 12 Diabetes Increases Disability in Older Women

Older women with type 2 diabetes are less able to perform day-to-day tasks, according to US researchers. The researchers analyzed data from 8,344 women aged over 65 years enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures. The women were assessed through physical examinations and questionnaires over 12 years.

The yearly incidence of any functional disability was 9.8% in women with diabetes and 4.8% in women without diabetes. After adjusting for cofounders and comorbidities, the association with diabetes remained with a 42% increased risk of any disability and 53-98% increased risk of disability for specific tasks.

Higher BMI, coronary heart disease, arthritis, physical inactivity and severe visual impairment at baseline were each independently associated with disability among the with diabetes. Reference: Gregg EW et al. Diabetes and incidence of functional disability in older women. Diabetes Care 2002; 25: 61-7.