[Community participation is associated with life satisfaction in elderly people with diabetes mellitus]

Comprehensive questionnaires encompassing physical, psychological, and social aspects were administered by interview to 56 elderly outpatients with diabetes mellitus. Life satisfaction was assessed using the Life Satisfaction Index K (LSIK) . We also assessed the emotional and instrumental social support provided by the families living along with the participants or living separately from the participants. The Index of Social Interaction (18 items) was used to assess the social relationships and the environmental social resources, which were classified into 5 domains: 1) independence, 2) social curiosity, 3) relationships with other people, 4) participation in the community, and 5) feelings of safety.

In a univariate analysis, the presence of diabetic neuropathy and pain in the lower back or knee joints were associated with low LSIK scores. Community participation, social curiosity, relationships with other people, and instrumental support from families living together with the participants positively correlated with high LSIK scores. The LSIK scores of the leaders of the diabetes patient group were higher than the scores of those who only participated in the diabetes patient group. In a multiple linear regression analysis, community participation, instrumental support from families living along with the participants, and the absence of neuropathy were independently associated with high LSIK scores.

Community participation is an important factor associated with life satisfaction in elderly people with diabetes mellitus.