A comparative study of geriatric and non-geriatric diabetic patients-a cross sectional hospital based study Thapa Bhawana1,*, Khandelwal Bidita2, Gupta Saumen3 1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physiology, Sikkim Manipal College of Physiotherapy, Sikkim, Assam 2Professor & HOD, Dept. of Medicine, Sikkim Manipal College of Physiotherapy, Sikkim, Assam 3Assistant Professor, Dept. of Physiotherapy, Sikkim Manipal College of Physiotherapy, Sikkim, Assam *Corresponding Author: Email: bhanva_thapa@yahoo.co.in
Online published on 23 February, 2018. Abstract Introduction Ageing is associated with decrease in the efficacy of various physiological homeostatic mechanisms as well as increase in co-morbidities and functional disabilities. The classical symptoms of diabetes are not always apparent in older people. Elderly patients have particular needs that differ from those of younger patients with the same conditions. There are varying statistics in different age groups but no comparative studies have been done from this region. Objectives The objective of this study was to compare the clinical and biochemical profile of geriatric (≥60yrs) and nongeriatric (<60yrs) diabetic patients. Materials and Method This study population included 150 patients diagnosed with diabetes attending Out Patient Department and admitted as In-Patient in Central Referral Hospital, Sikkim. After obtaining approval from IEC and taking a written informed consent, data was collected. Thorough clinical examination was done and necessary investigations were carried out. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and values were expressed as mean Standard Deviation. Comparison between geriatric (≥60 yrs.) and non-geriatric (<60 yrs.) was made. A p value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results After analysis, it was found that only 11% of geriatric patients presented with classical symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus while 60.38% of non-geriatric patients presented with the said complaints. A few atypical clinical presentations that were found only in geriatric age group were forgetfulness (6.82%), Urinary incontinence (4.55%), Delirium (4.55%). The mean PPBS value was higher in non-geriatrics whereas mean HbA1c value was higher in geriatric group. Among the complications, Peripheral neuropathy was significantly more common in geriatrics than the non-geriatrics (p= 0.000). Conclusion The geriatric population is a special population which may present with atypical symptoms and awareness regarding the same is of paramount importance. Top Keywords Diabetes Mellitus, Geriatrics, Non-geriatrics. Top |