Diabetes and disability in older Australians: The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study

Abstract

Aims To examine the association between diabetes and disability in older Australians and to identify factors that explain this association. Methods We analysed data from a subsample of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle study (AusDiab) cohort. Disability was measured using the Katz questionnaire in those aged 60 years or over and was defined as some difficulty in any of the Katz activities of daily living (ADL) questions. Results Among 2373 study participants aged 60 years or above who had a disability assessment at the third wave of follow-up (2011–12), 255 (11%) reported at least some disability. Participants with diabetes at baseline had higher odds of disability at 12 years [..