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Physical Disability in the Elderly with Diabetes: Epidemiology and Mechanisms

  • Diabetes Epidemiology (SH Golden, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic condition worldwide, especially in the elderly population. Several epidemiologic studies in the last 2 years have consistently associated diabetes with physical disability, a condition that may profoundly affect the quality of life of older people. Although in older people with diabetes, the pathogenesis of functional limitation and disability has not been completely elucidated, it is certainly complex and involves multiple potential pathways. In this narrative review, we described the most recent epidemiologic and clinical evidence supporting the association between diabetes and impaired physical function in older persons focusing on emerging biological mechanisms explaining the excess risk of disability associated with diabetes.

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Conflict of Interest

Lara Bianchi declares that she has no conflicts of interest. Giovanni Zuliani declares that he has no conflicts of interest. Stefano Volpato declares that he has no conflicts of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Science, University of Ferrara, Via Savonarola, 9, I-44121, Ferrara, Italy

    Lara Bianchi, Giovanni Zuliani & Stefano Volpato

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  1. Lara Bianchi
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  2. Giovanni Zuliani
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  3. Stefano Volpato
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Correspondence to Stefano Volpato.

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Bianchi, L., Zuliani, G. & Volpato, S. Physical Disability in the Elderly with Diabetes: Epidemiology and Mechanisms. Curr Diab Rep 13, 824–830 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-013-0424-6

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