Relationship of Daily Activity and Biochemical Variables in the Elderly with Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was done to identify correlates and variables predicting daily activity among elders with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). METHODS: Seventy-six elders registered in the Department of Endocrine Medicine at C university hospital participated in data collection. Data on daily activity and biochemical variables were collected via actigraph accelerator (Actical) and blood tests between September 2009 and July 2010. Data analysis was done using SPSS WIN 15.0 program and included one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: This study showed a positive correlation between daily activity and High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and a negative correlation among Total Cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C). The variables predicting daily activity were frequency of exercise, HDL-C, and TC. These factors accounted for 40.0% of the variance of daily activity in elders with DM. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that it is necessary to improve daily activity to reduce Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG), TC, and TG in elders with DM.