Patterns of Disability Related to Diabetes Mellitus in Older Women

Abstract

Purpose. To identify pattern(s) of disability related to diabetes in older women and to determine the extent to which disability is mediated by selected diabetes complications. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis of data from a population-based study composed of a representative sample of 3570 noninstitutionalized women aged 65 years and older living in the Baltimore metropolitan area who agreed to be screened for the Women's Health and Aging Study. Results. 483 (13.5%) of the women reported physician-diagnosed diabetes. Compared to women without diabetes, women with diabetes were significantly more likely to report difficulty in 14 of 15 daily tasks, including walking 2-3 blocks, lifting 10 pounds, using the telephone, and bathing (range of odds ratios [OR] 1.5-2.8; all p