Differences in patient-reported and clinical characteristics by age group in adults with type 2 diabetes

EunSeok Cha; Nak-Hoon Son; Kyong Hye Joung; Yun-A Shin; Hyun Jin Kim; Hyukjin Kim; Melissa Spezia Faulkner

doi:10.1111/wvn.12715

Differences in patient-reported and clinical characteristics by age group in adults with type 2 diabetes

Worldviews Evid Based Nurs. 2024 Mar 18. doi: 10.1111/wvn.12715. Online ahead of print.

Authors

EunSeok Cha^{1

2}, Nak-Hoon Son³, Kyong Hye Joung⁴, Yun-A Shin⁵, Hyun Jin Kim⁴, Hyukjin Kim³, Melissa Spezia Faulkner^{2

6}

Affiliations

¹ College of Nursing, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea.
² Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
³ Department of Statistics, College of Natural Science, Keimyung University, Daeggu, South Korea.
⁴ Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea.
⁵ College of Sport Science, Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea.
⁶ Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

PMID: 38500018
DOI: 10.1111/wvn.12715

Abstract

Background: The global burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is growing, and the age of onset is widening, resulting in increasing numbers of young adults and elderly patients with T2D. Age-specific diabetes care needs have yet to be fully explored.

Aims: This study examined (1) differences in patient-reported and clinical characteristics by age group and (2) the effect of age on two proxy measures assessing psychological health and self-care adherence after adjusting for potential mediators.

Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational design was used. Adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D) were recruited from a university hospital in Korea between 2019 and 2020. Participants were divided into four groups based on years of age (40s and younger group [n = 27]; 50s group [n = 47]; 60s group [n = 54]; and 70s and older group [n = 48]) to compare patient-reported and clinical characteristics. Chi-square tests, ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and logistic regression analysis were performed to assess group differences and effect of age on psychological health and self-care adherence.

Results: Of 178 participants, two-thirds were men (n = 114; 64.41%). The mean ages in the 40s and younger, 50s, 60s, and 70s and older groups were 39.4, 54.7, 63.9, and 76.0 years, respectively. There were significant differences in patient-reported and clinical characteristics by age group. The youngest group reported the poorest psychological health and self-care behaviors. Although the oldest group showed the poorest physical functioning, this group also showed the highest self-care adherence and the best psychological health. Regarding clinical characteristics, traditional diabetes-related blood test results showed no significant group differences.

Linking evidence to action: Age-specific diabetes care needs were identified in adults with T2D. Interventions to improve psychological health and priming effects of behavioral adherence need to be developed. Furthermore, meticulous investigation to detect potential complications early is essential in adults with T2D.

Keywords: health behavior; patient education; patient-centered care; priming effect; type 2 diabetes.

Abstract

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