Diabetes mellitus is most common health problem in elderly and may be associated with increased risk of functional dependency, malnutrition and depression. This study was an attempt to assess the nutritional vulnerability, functional status and depression in elderly people with and without diabetes mellitus. The sample of the study comprised of 60 elderly male subjects, 30 each in diabetic and non-diabetic group (>65 years). Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, body mass index (BMI), mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and calf- circumference (CC).Waist circumference was measured only for non-diabetic subjects as a part of diabetes risk assessment tool. Twenty four hour dietary recall method was used for dietary assessment. Standardized tools i.e., mini nutritional assessment (MNA), activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scales and geriatric depression scale (GDS) were used to collect information pertaining to nutritional status, functional status and depression respectively. On the basis of BMI, more diabetic subjects were in overweight category than their non- diabetic counterparts. Significant difference (p< 0.05) was found between protein and iron intake of diabetic and non- diabetic subjects. Two thirds of diabetic and non- diabetic subjects were found at risk of malnutrition. Diabetic subjects were more dependent on the basis of IADL than their non-diabetic counterparts, while independence was observed in all the subjects in terms of ADL. Significant difference (p< 0.05) was observed between GDS scores of diabetic and non- diabetic subjects. Thus all elderly subjects are nutritionally vulnerable whereas functional status decline and depression is more in diabetic elderly.
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