ABSTRACT
Objective:
evaluate the factors associated with the risk of diabetes mellitus in older caregivers.
Method:
this is a cross-sectional study conducted with 326 older caregivers enrolled in Family Health Units. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characterization questionnaire, clinical and care information, and the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score to assess the risk of developing diabetes.
Results:
35.5% of the caregivers presented a high risk of developing diabetes. The factors associated with the risk of developing diabetes were: use of medication (OR = 3.88), satisfactory or poor health assessment (OR = 1.72), and the fact of being female (OR = 0.48).
Conclusion:
more than one third of older caregivers present high risk of developing diabetes. Therefore, being female, living with other people, using medication, and having a poor health assessment are factors associated with increased risk of developing diabetes.
Descriptors:
Caregivers; Aging; Health of the Elderly; Primary Health Care; Disease Prevention