title: [Diabetes and changes in functional status of the elderly: a reality?].
abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common disease in the elderly population. The concept of autonomy is linked to a balance between the impairments observed in the daily activities and the availability of resources to compensate these incapacities. In the evolution of the DM, micro and macro vascular complications are commonly observed. The burden of these complications is usually proportional to the duration of the disease and the quality of glycaemic control. Visual alteration and progressive kidney failure requiring haemodialysis have significant impact on the functional status on the elderly diabetic patient living at home. Alterations of cardiac function and peripheral vascular disease which can ultimately lead to lower limb amputation also result in a dramatic alteration in the capacity of elderly patient to carry routine activities of daily living. The presence of DM seems to be a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. This article will review the usual complications of DM and link these complications to functional changes in the elderly population.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Santé et des Services Sociaux-Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canadá. dtessier.csss-iugs@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tessier
authors.forename: José Alberto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Avila-Funes
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aguilar-Navarro
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001766:Blindness / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012307:Risk Factors