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Associations between frailty dimensions and quality of life in older adults with Type 2 diabetes Mellitus: A
Dimitra Natsina1, Fotini Malli1, Maria Malliarou1
1Department of Nursing, University of Thessaly, Gaiopolis Campus, Larissa- Trikala Ring-Road, Larissa, 415 00, Greece.
Aging Clinical and Experimental Research
|June 4, 2026
Summary
Frailty significantly impacts quality of life in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Physical, psychological, and social frailty components are linked to poorer well-being, emphasizing the need for early screening and tailored care.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Frailty is a growing concern in older adults with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), affecting functional outcomes and care needs.
- Understanding the link between frailty and quality of life (QoL) is crucial for managing this population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between multidimensional frailty and QoL in older adults diagnosed with T2DM.
- To identify specific frailty components that most strongly correlate with diminished QoL.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 112 adults aged 65+ with T2DM in Central Greece.
- Frailty assessed using the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI); QoL measured by the Older People's Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL-35).
- Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were employed.
Main Results:
- The study sample exhibited moderate frailty, with physical limitations like fatigue and weakness being common.
- All frailty dimensions (physical, psychological, social) were significantly associated with lower QoL scores (p < .01).
- Physical frailty showed the strongest negative association with QoL (β=0.459, p<.001), followed by social (β=0.303, p<.001) and psychological (β=0.202, p=.005) components. The regression model explained 77.2% of QoL variance.
Conclusions:
- Frailty is strongly and multidimensionally linked to reduced quality of life in older adults with T2DM.
- Early screening for frailty and implementing individualized, multidisciplinary care strategies are vital in primary care.
- Interventions should focus on preserving functional ability and enhancing overall well-being in this vulnerable group.
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