Diabetes mellitus and health-related quality of life among older adults: Findings from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS)

Brown, David W; Balluz, Lina S; Giles, Wayne H; Beckles, Gloria L; Moriarty, David G; Ford, Earl S; Mokdad, Ali H

doi:10.1016/j.diabres.2003.11.014

Next »Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Volume 65, Issue 2 , Pages 105-115, August 2004

Diabetes mellitus and health-related quality of life among older adults:

Findings from the behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS)

David W Brown
- Behavioral Surveillance Branch, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Corresponding author. Present address: 4770 Buford Hwy NE (MS K66), Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. Tel.: +1-770-488-5542; fax: +1-770-488-8150.
Lina S Balluz
- Behavioral Surveillance Branch, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Wayne H Giles
- Emerging Investigations and Analytic Methods Branch, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Gloria L Beckles
- Epidemiology and Statistics Branch, Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
David G Moriarty
- Health Care and Aging Studies Branch, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Earl S Ford
- Behavioral Surveillance Branch, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
Ali H Mokdad
- Behavioral Surveillance Branch, Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

Received in revised form 4 November 2003; accepted 24 November 2003.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine associations between the presence of diabetes mellitus and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among older adults. Using data from 37,054 adults aged 50 years or older who participated in the 2001 BRFSS, we examined the independent association between diabetes and four measures of HRQOL developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Multivariate logistic regression was used to obtain adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). On average, older adults with diabetes reported nearly twice as many unhealthy days (physical or mental) as those without the condition (mean: 10.1 [S.E.: 0.32] versus 5.7 [0.43]) after age adjustment. The proportion of older adults reporting 14 or more unhealthy days (physical or mental) was significantly higher among those with diabetes (n=4032; 11%) compared to those without the condition (OR: 1.64; 95% CI: 1.20, 2.23) after multivariate adjustment. Among older diabetic adults, the adjusted relative odds of having 14 or more unhealthy days (physical or mental) was 1.71 (95% CI: 1.31, 2.22) times greater for those treated with insulin compared to those not treated with insulin. Diabetes is independently associated with lower levels of HRQOL among older adults. These results reinforce the importance of preventing diabetes and its complications through health education messages stressing a balanced diet and increased physical activity.

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Quality of life, Cross-sectional