Association between multiple geriatric syndromes and quality of life in elderly type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Objective To explore the effects of multiple geriatric syndromes on quality of life in the hospitalized elderly type 2 diabetes. Methods A cross sectional study was carried out in 397 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus by convenience sampling method. Each subject was assessed for general condition, quality of life as well as chronic pain, chronic constipation, urinary incontinence, high risk of falling, malnutrition, sleep disorder, polypharmacy. The influencing factors of quality of life were analyzed by multiple stepwise regression analysis. Results The patients averagely had 3.23 ± 1.51 geriatric syndromes, and 87.2% (346/397) of them had two or more geriatric syndromes. The average physical component summary of patients was (277.11±64.30) points, and mental component summary was (307.00 ± 60.46) points. The influencing factors of physical component of quality of life were quantity of geriatric syndromes, number of complications and course of disease, while the influencing factors of mental component of quality of life were quantity of geriatric syndromes, number of complications. Conclusions Multiple geriatric syndromes are closely related to the patients' quality of life to a greater degree as demographic factors and condition of diabetes. Nursing staffs should pay attention to the assessment and intervention of multiple geriatric syndromes in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, so as to improve patients' quality of life effectively. Key words: Quality of life; Diabetes mellitus; Aged; Geriatric syndrome