Early declines in physical function among aging adults with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Aims Type 2 (T2DM) diabetes is associated with reduced physical function and early disability. We hypothesized that changes in physical function occur early and differ by age. Our aims were to determine and compare differences in and predictors of physical function in older and younger adults with T2DM. Methods Eighty adults completed six-minute walk distance (6MWD) tests, wore wrist actigraphy for 5 days and completed diabetes health and symptom surveys. Comparative and bivariate analyses were completed to assess differences between age groups determined by serial Box’s M-plot analyses. Results 6MWD was low (476.9 ± 106.2 m), and negatively associated with female gender, age, neuropathic pain, diabetes duration, BMI, poor sleep quality, and fatigue and positively with habitual activity and education (p < 0.05). Covariance matrices changed at age 59. In subjects age < 58, 6MWD was predicted by gender, sleep quality, and neuropathic pain (R2 0.593, p < 0.001). In those age ≥ 59, 6MWD was predicted by diabetes duration, education, and habitual activity (R2 0.554, p < 0.001). There were no shared predictors of 6MWD between groups. Conclusions T2DM is associated with early declines in physical function; the predictors of which change in mid-life. Therapies to maintain or improve physical function should be tailored by age, pain symptoms, and habitual activity levels.

Factors associated with glycaemic control in patients with diabetes mellitus: A systematic literature review

“…Bi et al () reported that young age was associated with poor glycaemic control, while Cowie et al () observed a higher prevalence among the middle‐ and older‐aged adults. Furthermore, Bi et al () and Lee et al () found out that shorter duration of diabetes was related to tighter glycaemic control but Fritschi et al () observed a poor glycaemic control. In addition, with the inconsistent findings in the literature review regarding ethnicity (Lanting et al, ; Rothman et al, ) and BMI (Anari et al, ; Bae et al, ) affecting glycaemic control, further studies should be established to understand the relationship among the different variables.…”

“…However, there are conflicting relationships regarding age (Bi et al, 2010;Cowie et al, 2010) and duration of disease (Bi et al, 2010;Fritschi et al, 2017;Lee et al, 2016) in relation to glycaemic control. Bi et al (2010) reported that young age was associated with poor glycaemic control, while Cowie et al (2010) observed a higher prevalence among the middle-and older-aged adults.…”

“…Bi et al (2010) suggested that these individuals were more likely to monitor their glucose, attend diabetes-related education at least once a month and take oral anti-diabetic drugs. However, a descriptive-correlational study observed that a shorter duration of diagnosed diabetes predicted early declines in physical function (p < 0.01), as there was lower diabetes-related knowledge to manage the conditions (Fritschi, Bronas, Park, Collins, & Quinn, 2017). Patients newly diagnosed with type 2 DM were usually in denial, lacked acceptance and refused to their change behaviours and lifestyle, which impeded successful glycaemic control (Matthews, Peden, & Rowles, 2009).…”

Aging, physical activity, and diabetic complications related to loss of muscle strength in patients with type 2 diabetes

“…T he prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing worldwide 1) . According to a previous study, diabetic patients may present with motor skills deficits 2) ; additionally, an early decline in physical function with age has been associated with type 2 diabetes 3) . These facts represent a serious problem, as the number of people aged >65 years is expected to continue to rise in developed countries such as Japan, Germany, and Italy 4) .…”

SIRT1 Regulates Cognitive Performance and Ability of Learning and Memory in Diabetic and Nondiabetic Models

“…Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of multiple age-related metabolic diseases [ 1 ]. Several latest studies have demonstrated severe and progressive abnormalities in brain structures and cognition during the early stage of T2DM [ 2 ].…”