Could Old Age Affect Diabetes Self-Management?

Older patients with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cognitive impairment and, therefore, are at risk of being unable to self-manage their disease, according to a new study.

To prevent further complications from type 2 diabetes, patients can self-manage their glucose levels and medication intake. However, older patients who have had diabetes for a longer period of time may experience memory loss and other cognitive dysfunctions, which can hinder their ability to properly manage their disease.

Researchers examined 12 studies published from 2000 to 2014 that featured adults aged 55 or older and that investigated cognition and diabetes self-management together.

The results of researchers’ meta-analysis show that certain cognitive measures, including executive function and memory, contribute to patients’ inability to self-manage their diabetes. For instance, patients whose memory is declining miss doctor appointments, forget to take their medications, or report inaccurate blood glucose levels.

“Older people with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for cognitive dysfunction,” researchers concluded. “Changes in cognition may negatively affect diabetes self-management behaviors, influencing self-care outcomes.”

--Amanda Balbi

Reference:

Tomlin A and Sinclair A. The influence of cognition on self-management of type 2 diabetes in older people. Psychol Res & Behav Manage. January 21, 2016;2016(9):7-20, http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S36238.