Determination of diabetes burden and activity levels in individualswith geriatric diabetes

In the management of diabetes, it is important that the individual and family actively participate in the treatment and ensure continuity. This study was conducted to determine the diabetes burden and patient activity levels in geriatric diabetics. The sample of this descriptive study consisted of 230 individuals aged 65 and over who were diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Research data were collected in the internal medicine clinic of Yalova State Hospital between May 2021 and January 2022. Data were collected using Personal Information Form, Diabetes Burden Scale, Patient Activity Measure Scale. The mean age of the individuals participating in our study was 73.46±7.06. It was determined that the vast majority of individuals were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the mean disease duration was 20.19 years, and 47% of them used insulin therapy. 37.4% of geriatric diabetics were at the first activity level, 14.3% at the second activity level, and 34.3% at the third activity level. Patient Activity Level Scale scores were significantly correlated with all sub-dimensions and total scores of the diabetes burden scale. It was determined that the mean total diabetes burden scores of individuals differed significantly according to marital status, economic status, educational status, family history of diabetes, treatment type, complication status, diabetes education status, and additional chronic disease status. It was determined that age, education level being high school and above, no acute complications, no chronic complications, no other chronic diseases, diabetes education, oral antidiabetic use and total diabetes burden had a significant effect on activity levels. In our study, it was determined that the burden of diabetes in geriatric diabetics differed significantly according to patient activity levels. It is recommended to increase the activity level of patients to reduce the burden of diabetes, which is a complex chronic disease that requires continuous care.