OBJECTIVE: The average age at diagnosis for type 2 diabetes is decreasing. However, because age is most often controlled for in clinical research, little is known regarding how adult age is associated with diabetes disease-related variables. METHODS: In a community based study with type 2 diabetes patients (N=506), after adjusting for potentially confounding variables, we examined associations between patients' age and: stress, depression, diabetes-related distress, self-efficacy, diet, exercise, and glycemic control. We then explored to what extent age interacts with these variables in their association with glycemic control. RESULTS: Younger age was independently associated with: greater chronic stress and negative life events, higher levels of diabetes-related distress, higher depressed affect, eating healthier foods and exercising less frequently, lower diabetes self-efficacy, and higher HbA1c. Interactions showed that younger patients with high stress and/or low self-efficacy were more likely to have higher HbA1c levels than older patients. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest younger adult patients with type 2 diabetes represent a unique patient subgroup with specific needs and health risks based on their developmental stage and life context. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Treatment programs need to target younger adult patients and may need to utilize different media or modalities (e.g., social media) to reach this group.
OBJECTIVE: The average age at diagnosis for type 2 diabetes is decreasing. However, because age is most often controlled for in clinical research, little is known regarding how adult age is associated with diabetes disease-related variables. METHODS: In a community based study with type 2 diabetespatients (N=506), after adjusting for potentially confounding variables, we examined associations between patients' age and: stress, depression, diabetes-related distress, self-efficacy, diet, exercise, and glycemic control. We then explored to what extent age interacts with these variables in their association with glycemic control. RESULTS: Younger age was independently associated with: greater chronic stress and negative life events, higher levels of diabetes-related distress, higher depressed affect, eating healthier foods and exercising less frequently, lower diabetes self-efficacy, and higher HbA1c. Interactions showed that younger patients with high stress and/or low self-efficacy were more likely to have higher HbA1c levels than older patients. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest younger adult patients with type 2 diabetes represent a unique patient subgroup with specific needs and health risks based on their developmental stage and life context. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Treatment programs need to target younger adult patients and may need to utilize different media or modalities (e.g., social media) to reach this group.
Authors: William H Polonsky; Lawrence Fisher; Jay Earles; R James Dudl; Joel Lees; Joseph Mullan; Richard A Jackson Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: J K Y Li; M C Y Ng; W Y So; C K P Chiu; R Ozaki; P C Y Tong; C S Cockram; J C N Chan Journal: Diabetes Metab Res Rev Date: 2006 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 4.876
Authors: L Fisher; C A Chesla; M M Skaff; C Gilliss; J T Mullan; R J Bartz; R A Kanter; C P Lutz Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2000-03 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: K M Scott; M Von Korff; J Alonso; M Angermeyer; E J Bromet; R Bruffaerts; G de Girolamo; R de Graaf; A Fernandez; O Gureje; Y He; R C Kessler; V Kovess; D Levinson; M E Medina-Mora; Z Mneimneh; M A Oakley Browne; J Posada-Villa; H Tachimori; D Williams Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2008-05-19 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Anjali Gopalan; Pranita Mishra; Stacey E Alexeeff; Maruta A Blatchins; Eileen Kim; Alan Man; Andrew J Karter; Richard W Grant Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2020-03-04 Impact factor: 19.112
Authors: Lawrence Fisher; William H Polonsky; Danielle M Hessler; Umesh Masharani; Ian Blumer; Anne L Peters; Lisa A Strycker; Vicky Bowyer Journal: J Diabetes Complications Date: 2015-02-07 Impact factor: 2.852