Physical Function in Middle-aged and Older Adults with Type 1 Diabetes: Long-term Follow-up of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications Study

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posted on 2022-07-26, 12:04 authored by Catherine L. Martin, Victoria R. Trapani, Jye-Yu C. Backlund, Pearl Lee, Barbara H. Braffett, Ionut Bebu, John M. Lachin, Alan M. Jacobson, Rose Gubitosi-Klug, William H. Herman, the DCCT/EDIC Research Group

Objective: To describe the prevalence and clinical correlates of functional limitations in middle-aged and older adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes.

Research Design and Methods: Functional limitations were assessed for 1,094 participants in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study, a multi-center, longitudinal, observational follow-up of participants with type 1 diabetes randomly assigned to intensive or conventional diabetes therapy during the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT). The primary outcome measure was a score <10 on the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). The secondary outcome, self-reported functional limitation, was assessed by written questionnaire. Logistic regression models assessed associations of both outcomes with demographic and clinical factors (glycemic and non-glycemic factors, micro- and macrovascular complications, DCCT cohort and treatment assignment).

Results: Fifty-three percent of participants were male. The mean age was 59.5±6.8 years and mean diabetes duration was 37.9±4.9 years. The prevalence of SPPB score <10 was 21%. The prevalence of self-reported functional limitations was 48%. While DCCT treatment assignment was not associated with physical function outcomes measured ~25 years after the end of the DCCT the time-weighted DCCT/EDIC mean HbA1c was associated with both outcomes. Other clinical factors associated with both outcomes in multivariable analyses were BMI, general psychological distress, and cardiac autonomic neuropathy.

Conclusions: Almost half of the middle-aged and older adults with long-standing type 1 diabetes reported functional limitations, which were associated with higher HbA1c and BMI, general psychological distress, and cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Future research is needed to determine if these findings are generalizable.