Gender, Illness-Related Diabetes Social Support, and Glycemic Control Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

TitleGender, Illness-Related Diabetes Social Support, and Glycemic Control Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsMondesir, FL, White, K, Liese, AD, McLain, AC
JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Volume71
Issue6
Pagination1081 - 1088
Date PublishedMay-11-2017
ISSN Number1079-5014
KeywordsDiabetes, Gender Differences, Older Adults, Social Support, Women and Minorities
Abstract

This study examined whether the association between illness-related diabetes social support (IRDSS) and glycemic control among middle-aged and older adults is different for men and women.

This cross-sectional analysis included 914 adults with diabetes who completed the Health and Retirement Study's 2003 Mail Survey on Diabetes. IRDSS is a composite score of 8 diabetes self-care measures. Hemoglobin A1c levels were obtained to measure good glycemic control (< 8.0%). Gender-stratified multivariate log-binomial regression models were used to estimate prevalence ratios and examine the association between IRDSS and glycemic control after controlling for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical characteristics.

The prevalence of good glycemic control was 48.9% among women and 51.1% among men. Mean composite IRDSS scores did not differ by gender. Among women, composite IRDSS was associated with adequate glycemic control (prevalence ratio: 1.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.02, 1.08), and all individual components of IRDSS, with the exception of keeping appointments, were positively associated with adequate glycemic control. No significant associations were observed in men for composite or individual components of IRDSS.

Determining the gender-specific impact derived from IRDSS is a worthwhile approach to highlighting factors that differentially predict optimal glycemic control among middle-aged and older adults.

URLhttp://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/lookup/doi/10.1093/geronb/gbv061https://academic.oup.com/psychsocgerontology/article/71/6/1081/2194711/Gender-IllnessRelated-Diabetes-Social-Support-and
DOI10.1093/geronb/gbv061
Short TitleGERONB
Citation Key8845