THE IMPACT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES ON THE INCREASE OF FRAILTY AMONG ELDERLY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS

Abstract

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes is a widespread chronic condition among the elderly, and its impact on frailty is a growing concern in the context of an aging population. Understanding the association between diabetes and frailty is crucial for implementing effective preventive measures and tailored interventions to enhance the quality of life and well-being of older adults. This study aimed to investigate the association between type 2 diabetes with frailty among older populations.
 
Methodology: To achieve these objectives, we executed a meticulous systematic review and meta-analysis, sifting through a pool of 9311 studies, ultimately qualifying 8 for inclusion in our analysis. The assessment of these studies was conducted with the RevMan 5.3 software. We also undertook a subgroup meta-analysis, stratifying our analysis by setting, and computed the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI) to gauge the correlation between type 2 diabetes and frailty. Our statistical criteria for significance were established with a threshold of p < 0.0001.
 
Results: Our results demonstrated a notable elevation in the risk of frailty among elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes when contrasted with their counterparts who do not have type 2 diabetes (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.43 to 1.75; p < 0.0001).
 
Conclusion: In conclusion, this study provides strong evidence supporting a significant relationship between Type 2 diabetes and increasing frailty among the elderly. Early detection and effective diabetes management are crucial steps to mitigate the impact of frailty in elderly. Moreover, further studies are expected to focus on exploring targeted interventions and assessing long-term effects to enhance geriatric care and inform evidence-based policies.