Factors Contributing to the Diabetes Burden in the Elderly: A Clinical Perspective.

AIM

This study aims to evaluate the various factors that contribute to the burden of diabetes in elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

The descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in the internal medicine clinic of a training and study hospital in Türkiye between January 2018 and May 2019. The study sample consisted of 102 elderly individuals aged 65 years and older with type 2 diabetes. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Sociodemographic Characteristics Data Form and the Burden of Diabetes in the Elderly Scale.

RESULTS

The mean total score for the Elderly Burden Diabetes Scale of participants' was 50.98 ± 15.59. When the scores (min = 18, max = 88 points) that could be obtained from the scale were taken into account, it was evident that the diabetes burden of elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes was below the moderate level. Age group, marital status and duration of diabetes diagnosis did not affect diabetes burden (p > 0.05). Diabetes burden was higher in patients with education below the undergraduate level, those who used combined oral antidiabetic and insulin treatment, and those with comorbidities (p < 0.05). While there was a negative relationship between comorbidity status and diabetes burden, there was a positive relationship between diabetes treatment and diabetes burden (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It was found that the diabetes burden of elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes was below the mean, and combined treatments and the presence of comorbidities increased the diabetes burden.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Improving the drug management of elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes and effectively controlling comorbidities in older individuals may play an important role in reducing the burden of diabetes.