Diabetes and the Risk of Multi-System Aging Phenotypes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
2009

Diabetes and the Risk of Aging Conditions in Older Adults

Sample size: 1994 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Lu Feng-Ping, Lin Kun-Pei, Kuo Hsu-Ko

Primary Institution: National Taiwan University Hospital

Hypothesis

Is diabetes associated with an increased risk of various geriatric conditions in older adults?

Conclusion

Diabetes is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline, dementia, mobility impairment, and other geriatric conditions in older adults.

Supporting Evidence

  • Diabetes was associated with a 47% increased risk for all dementia.
  • Diabetes was linked to a 39% increased risk for Alzheimer's dementia.
  • Diabetes was associated with more than a 2-fold risk for vascular dementia.
  • Diabetes was related to faster cognitive decline in older adults.
  • Diabetes increased the risk of mobility impairment and disability.

Takeaway

If you have diabetes when you're older, you might have more trouble with thinking, moving around, and other health problems.

Methodology

A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective population-based studies examining the association between diabetes and geriatric conditions.

Potential Biases

Some studies were limited to specific populations, affecting generalizability.

Limitations

Many studies had methodological flaws, such as cross-sectional designs and inadequate consideration of confounders.

Participant Demographics

Community-dwelling older adults, primarily aged 60 and over.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.001

Confidence Interval

1.25 to 1.73

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0004144

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