Aim: The purpose of the present investigation was to explore the process towards functional disability and predicting factors in Japanese diabetic elderly.
Methods: We recruited 317 older patients aged 65 or over among participants in the large-scale prospective study of the Japanese Elderly Diabetes Intervention Trial (J-EDIT). We analyzed the changes of daily life function prospectively for 6 years. Information about diabetes, blood examinations and complications was obtained, and basic activity of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) were assessed by total Barthel index score and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG index), respectively.
Results: During 6 years of follow-up, 13.6% of subjects had developed a new ADL disability (bADL) and 38.3% had developed a new functional impairment assessed by TMIG index. In the 65-74 years age group, basic ADL decreased only in males, while females became functionally impaired. In 75-84 years age group, basic and IADL decreased in both men and women. Older age and metabolic syndrome negatively affected ADL, while baseline IADL impairment, cognitive dysfunction, physical inactivity, and insulin therapy were significant predictors of a future decline in the IADL.
Conclusion: This study identified the disability process and prognostic factors, including the future decline of basic ADL and IADL in diabetic elderly patients. There are modifiable factors for ADL impairment, comprehensive treatment and care are required to keep Japanese diabetic elderly patients healthy in daily life functioning.