Does hyperglycaemia cause symptoms in elderly people?
L A Hiltunen1, S M Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi
1Department of Public Health Science and General Practice, University of Oulu and Oulu University Hospital, Unit of General Practice, Oulu, Finland. liisa.hiltunen@oulu.fi
Central European Journal of Public Health
|July 10, 2004
Summary
This study found that previously diagnosed diabetes patients reported more symptoms. However, specific symptoms were not reliable indicators for diagnosing diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Glucose tolerance significantly impacts health in elderly populations.
- Understanding symptom associations with glucose metabolism is crucial for early detection and management.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated these links in non-institutionalized elderly individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between glucose tolerance levels and reported symptoms in elderly individuals (73+ years).
- To identify potential symptom indicators for undiagnosed diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a cohort of 259 non-institutionalized elderly individuals (93 men).
- Assessed diabetes status via self-reports and 2-hour oral glucose tolerance tests (1985 WHO criteria).
- Measured symptoms using a modified Diabetes Symptom Checklist (DSC-Type 2).
Main Results:
- Previously diagnosed diabetic patients reported significantly more symptoms across all six checklist dimensions compared to other groups.
- Hyperglycemic symptoms like 'dry mouth' and 'increasing fatigue' showed weak to significant associations with undiagnosed diabetes.
- Men with Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT) reported 'dry mouth' and 'tingling in legs/feet' more frequently than those with Normal Glucose Tolerance (NGT).
- 'Moodiness' symptoms increased with worsening glucose tolerance, suggesting a link with type 2 diabetes in the elderly.
Conclusions:
- Previously diagnosed diabetes is strongly associated with a higher symptom burden in the elderly.
- While some symptoms correlate with glucose intolerance, they are not definitive indicators for diagnosing undiagnosed diabetes or IGT in this population.
- Further research is needed to identify reliable early warning symptoms for glucose metabolism disorders in older adults.
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