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Reported and measured physical functioning in older inner-city diabetic African Americans.
D K Miller1, L Y Lui, H M Perry
1Division of Geriatric Medicine, St. Louis University, Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, St. Louis VA Medical Center, Missouri 63104, USA. millerdk@slu.edu
Summary
Older African Americans with diabetes experience more disability and falls. Sensory impairments, not strength deficits, contribute to this functional decline.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Diabetes Research
Background:
- Diabetes impact on disability in older African Americans is understudied.
- Previous research inadequately explains excessive disability linked to diabetes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate diabetes' impact on physical functioning and disability in older African Americans.
- To explore potential causes of increased disability in diabetic elders.
Main Methods:
- Population-based survey comparing 116 diabetic and 522 non-diabetic African Americans (70+ years).
- Physical examinations (strength, balance, performance) and blood tests on subsamples.
- Multivariable analyses to identify contributing factors.
Main Results:
- Diabetic individuals reported worse general health, daily living activities, and higher fall rates.
- Sensory impairments (vision, pain perception) partially explained the link between diabetes and disability/falls.
- Strength, balance, and timed performance showed minimal differences between groups.
Conclusions:
- Older urban diabetic African Americans have poorer health, more disability, and falls than controls.
- Deficits in strength and balance were not significant factors.
- Further research should focus on sensory function, glycemic control, and comorbidities.