The pattern of physical disability and determinants of activities of daily living among people with diabetes in Bangladesh

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus itself is a known predictor of physical disability and impairment in activities of daily living (ADL); however, there are existing controversies about the factors explaining the association between diabetes and disability. Therefore, we assessed the possible determinants associated with ADL impairment among people with diabetes in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. METHODS: We conducted a cross‐sectional study among 480 people with diabetes aged between 50 and 70 years, and attended a tertiary level hospital in Dhaka city. For determining the ADL impairment, we used the Katz Index Scoring (6 = no impairment; <6 = impairment). Age, sex, educational attainment, household expenditure, body mass index, the status of diabetes (controlled or uncontrolled), hypertension and medication adherence to anti‐diabetic drugs were included in the statistical models, and we defined any ADL impairment (Katz score <6) as an event. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the significance of relevant factors. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 59.0 (standard deviation [SD], 7.0) years. The majority of the participants (76.3%) had at least some sort of physical disability. In multivariable logistic regression analysis after adjusting for all covariates simultaneously, age (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.35 [1.20 to 1.75] per 1−SD increment), BMI (1.32 [1.08 to 1.21] per 1−SD increment), higher educational attainment (0.34 [0.09–0.90]), multi‐morbidity (2.79 [1.48–5.25]) and uncontrolled diabetes (1.35 [1.10–1.45]) were independently associated with ADL impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Physical disability was common, and ADL impairment was associated with age, educational attainment, BMI, multi‐morbidities and uncontrolled diabetes among the people with diabetes in Bangladesh.