The Relation between Glucose Control, Self-care and Depression in Community Dwelling Older Adults with Diabetes

지역사회 당뇨노인의 혈당조절, 자기관리 정도와 우울

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between glucose control, diabetes self-care and depression in community dwelling older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: The cross-sectional survey data of 148 older adults at a senior center were analyzed in this study. We collected data on diabetes self-care, depression, and demographics by face-to-face interviews. Blood samples for HbA1C were obtained from the participants. Results: The average duration of diabetes for the participants was $10.6{\pm}9.31$ years. Fifty percent of the participants had HbA1c higher than 7.0% (mean 7.179%). The level of diabetes self-care was related to depression (r=-.225, p<.01). HbA1c was positively related with the duration of diabetes diagnosis (r=.224, p<.01). The only sub-dimension of diabetes self-care that was related to depression was exercise (r=-.307, p<.01). Conclusion: Only half of the community dwelling older adults with type 2 diabetes had an optimal level of diabetes control. Supported by the evidence, the longer the duration of diabetes since the initial diagnosis, the poorer the glucose control was. Identification and intervention for depression in people with diabetes should be considered to improve diabetes self-care, especially to perform more exercise.