Characteristics of Diabetic Ageing Patients in Nursing Homes: One Center Experience in Turkey

Due to its widespread distribution and effects, type 2 diabetes is a frequently researched topic. However, the amount of information about type 2 diabetes in nursing homes residents is inadequate. The aim of this study is to elucidate on the frequency, treatments, comorbidities, and deaths of nursing home residents diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes was evaluated in 612 people accepted to nursing homes as residents between January 2005 and January 2013. Medical records, prescriptions, laboratory results, and comorbidities were evaluated statistically.

Approximately 26% (159) patients of the cohort had either preexisting type 2 diabetes during registration to nursing home or was diagnosed with it during the 8-year follow-up. The prevalence of DM was 25% in males and 26% in females. Average age was 75.7 ± 10.6 in diabetics and 76.7 ± 11.6 in non-diabetics. Hemoglobin, creatinine, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and CRP values were not found to be different between the groups. Hypertension was diagnosed in 75% of diabetics versus 59% of non-diabetics, hyperlipidemia in 21% versus 7% (P < .01); however, atrial fibrillation was more common in non-diabetics (P = .022). There was no difference for survival rate between diabetic and non-diabetic groups (P = .743).

Approximately 1 out of 4 nursing home residents were found to have diabetes, with females being more affected then males. The survival rates both at the diabetic and non-diabetic patients were detected similar. Glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and blood pressure values which can all impact survival should be closely watched from early on in the disease progress and their values should be optimized.