OBJECTIVE:
To determine the prevalence of self-reported diabetes mellitus and associated factors in elderly living in the city Campina Grande-PB, Brazil.
METHODOLOGY:
Cross-sectional, population- and home-based study with individuals aged 60 years or older of both sexes. Self-reported diabetes mellitus was considered dependent variable for purposes of analysis and study of possible associations. Independent variables were: age group, marital status, socioeconomic level, nutritional status, regular practice of physical activities, smoking and alcohol consumption. To identify factors associated with self-reported diabetes mellitus, univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed, using SPSS 17.0.
RESULTS:
Overall, 806 elderly patients (69.1% women) with mean age of 72.4 years (SD=8.76) were assessed. Prevalence of self-reported diabetes mellitus was 14.7%. Higher prevalence of self-reported diabetes mellitus in the age group of 60-69 years (50.0% and 48.2%, respectively) was observed both among men and women. Self-reported diabetes mellitus was associated with overweight/obesity (95% CI: 1.028-4.248, p=0.042) and alcohol consumption (95% CI: 1.107-3.092, p=0.019) among women. Among men, there was an association with the disease only for the past consumption of alcoholic beverages (95% CI: 1.082-13.085, p=0.037).
CONCLUSION:
The results suggest an influence of nutritional status and alcohol consumption (current or past) on diabetes mellitus in the elderly. Knowing the modifiable factors that influence this disease is critical to support the planning of actions for promotion, prevention and early diagnosis of this condition.
Elderly; Diabetes Mellitus; Risk Factors