THE HEALTH BURDEN OF DIABETES FOR THE ELDERLY IN 4 COMMUNITIES

Although diabetes is a common health problem of the elderly, the impac t of diabetes on health and functioning in older persons is not well e stablished. The purpose of this analysis was to identify health condit ions accompanying diabetes in four samples of community dwelling elder ly people. The study samples consisted of 13,601 persons ages 65 or ol der who participated in the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies in the Elderly (EPESE). Extensive interviews were conducted in respondents' homes to obtain information on diabetes and other health conditions, health behaviors, use of health services, and demographic characteristics. A lifetime history of diabetes was reported by 14 pe rcent of respondents. The prevalence of the disease was higher in blac ks than whites, especially among women. Persons with diabetes were mor e likely to report myocardial infarction, stroke, vision problems, phy sical disability, incontinence, and nursing home stays than persons wi thout diabetes, but the diabetics were less likely to consume alcohol or tobacco. Those with diabetes were only slightly heavier than those without diabetes at the time of the interview. However, body mass at a ge 50 was substantially greater among persons with diabetes. Associati ons between diabetes and other health conditions and behaviors were si milar for whites and blacks. These results show that aged persons with diabetes experience substantial comorbidity, which has important rami fications for functioning and survival.