Geriatric Syndromes in Older Adults with Diabetes: Impact on Diabetes Care Management and Mortality

Background: A growing body of research suggests that diabetes in the elderly is associated with an increased risk of most important geriatric syndromes including impaired cognitive function, depression, pain, and functional impairment. However, few studies have examined the impact of geriatric syndromes on the health care management of diabetes and mortality in the elderly. Objective: The objectives of this study are shown as followed. First year: To investigate the association between geriatric syndromes and its associated factors in diabetes. Secondly, we also to examine the impact of geriatric syndromes on the health care management of diabetes in the elderly. Second year: To examine the impact of geriatric syndromes and health care management of diabetes on mortality in the elderly. Method: This is a prospective study. The study population included participants in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) in Taiwan in 2005. Those individuals aged 65 and above will be included in this study. Of the potential participants, those who provided consent for data linkage to 2005-2007 claims data from the Bureau of National Health Insurance could be obtained, will be eligible for analysis to explore the association between the management of diabetes and health care utilization in the present study. Deaths will be verified by indexing to the National Register of Deaths with a personal identification number. In this study, geriatric syndromes will include impaired cognitive function (MMSE), depression (CESD), pain, urinary incontinence, fall, and functional impairment (ADLs). Statistical analysis: Logistic regression analysis will be performed to assess the association between geriatric syndromes and its associated factors in diabetes. Negative binomial regression and Generalized linear models will be used to estimate the parameters specified in the health care utilization model. Multivariate Cox’s proportional hazards models will be used to examine the association between geriatric syndromes and the management of diabetes and mortality. We used the SAS (SAS Institute, Cary, NC)-callable SUDAAN (RTI Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC) for all analyses.

Project ID:PF10007-2483
External Project ID:NSC100-2410-H182-004-MY2