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

• Published in: Journal of diabetes and its complications Vol. 31; no. 2; pp. 347 - 352
• Main Authors: Fritschi, Cynthia, Bronas, Ulf Gunnar, Park, Chang G., Collins, Eileen G., Quinn, Laurie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.02.2017; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Age; Aging; Body mass index; Cardiovascular disease; Diabetes; Diabetes complications; Diabetes symptoms; Disability; Disease control; Efficiency; Endocrinology & Metabolism; Fatigue; Gender; Older people; Pain; Physical activity; Physical function testing; Quality; Six-minute walk distance; United States > US; Diabetes symptoms; Six-minute walk distance; Physical activity; Diabetes complications; Physical function testing; Diabetes Complications; Physical Function Testing; Physical Activity
• ISSN: 1056-8727; 1873-460X; 1873-460X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2016.06.022

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) 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. Eighty adults completed six-minute walk distance (6MWD) tests, wore wrist actigraphy for 5days 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. 6MWD was low (476.9±106.2m), 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. T2DM is associated with early declines in physical function; the predictors of which change in midlife. Therapies to maintain or improve physical function should be tailored by age, pain symptoms, and habitual activity levels.