Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, whose incidence has been increasing especially in the elderly, being estimated that over one-quarter of people over the age of 65 years have diabetes. Diabetes implications, whether due to acute or chronic complications, namely cognitive and functional impairments, can be devastating and usually determine the need for more supervision, implying a caregiver. For a better clinical characterization of DM, this study aimed to compare older adults, with and without DM, hospitalized in the Convalescence Units (CUs) of the Portuguese National Network of Integrated Continued Care (RNCCI).

This cross-sectional study included older adults (≥65 years old) admitted into three CUs in northern Portugal. The inability to communicate was considered an exclusion criterion. A comprehensive assessment protocol was used, which comprised the Mini Mental State Examination (cognitive function), the Katz Index, and the Lawton Index (basic and instrumental activities of daily living). A comparative analysis between patients’ groups (with and without DM) was performed using the Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square tests.

The final sample included 202 older adults (99 diabetics and 101 non- diabetics), with a mean age of 77 (±7) years, mostly (69.8%) women. Comparing the patients with and without DM, the first group had more dyslipidemia (97% vs. 62.1%, p<0.001) and osteoporosis (97% vs. 67%; p<0.001), as well as more comorbidities (6 vs. 5; p<0.001) and daily medication (9 vs. 7; p<0.001). Moreover, DM patients had more cognitive impairment (52.5% vs. 34.0%; p=0.008) and greater dependence on instrumental activities of daily living (57.6% vs. 37.6%; p=0.009). A tendency was found regarding the presence of a caregiver for those with diabetes (75.8% vs. 63.1%; p=0.051).

Patients with diabetes had more associated diseases and prescribed medicines, presented more cognitive impairment, greater dependence on instrumental activities of daily living, and were more likely to have a caregiver. This study will contribute to a better knowledge about the clinical and psychosocial characterization of older adults with DM in a specific context, allowing the development of future care plans and the adoption of better strategies for this group’s specificities.