Elderly Diabetes Sufferers More Likely to Have a Disability

Researchers trawled through more than 3,200 previously published studies exploring the link between diabetes and disability. Most people in the studies were over 65. Lead epidemiologist Anna Peeters said the association between diabetes and disability was long known and until now poorly identified but the causes remain mysterious. "It’s possible that the high blood glucose concentrations experienced by people with diabetes might lead to chronic muscle inflammation, eventually resulting in physical disability, and some studies have shown that diabetes is associated with rapid and worsening muscle wasting." "As the world’s population ages, and diabetes becomes more common, it seems clear that we will see an increased need for disability-related health resources." The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, July 2013