Self‐Reported Diabetes in Older Adults: A Comparison of Prevalence and Related Factors in the Mexican Health and Aging Study (2015, 2018, and 2021)

Abstract

Aim: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with diabetes among older adults and compare the prevalence rate of a three‐round national survey of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS).Methods: A cross‐sectional study was conducted with data obtained from MHAS 2015 (n = 8167), 2018 (n = 7854), and 2021 (n = 8060), which comprised a nationally representative sample of older adults in Mexico. The measures included sociodemographic characteristics and health. A binary logistic regression model was used to identify the association between independent variables and self‐reported diabetes.Results: The prevalence of diabetes was 26.3%, 27.7%, and 28.1% in 2015, 2018, and 2021, respectively. This prevalence decreased with age and was higher for female, urban older adults, those with multimorbidity, a lower level of education, and without social security coverage for the three years. Age was associated with a lower possibility of presenting diabetes ([OR = 0.79[0.71–0.89]] and [OR = 0.41[0.33–0.52]] in groups aged 75–84 years and ≥85 years, respectively). Females continue to be more likely to present diabetes than males (OR = 1.39 [95% CI 1.25–1.55]). Older adults living in rural areas are 20% less likely to present diabetes than those living in urban areas (OR = 0.80 [95% CI 0.69–0.93]). Uninsured older adults (OR = 1.35 [95% CI 1.20–1.53]), those who wear glasses (OR = 1.23 [95% CI 1.16–1.30]), those with multimorbidity (OR = 1.13 [95% CI 1.01–1.27]), and those who currently drink alcohol (OR = 1.12 [95% CI 1.00–1.25]) were significantly more likely to have diabetes.Conclusion: An elevated prevalence of diabetes was found in older adults in Mexico, while not having access to social security was associated with a higher possibility of presenting diabetes and living in a rural area was associated with a lower possibility of presenting diabetes. Detection, prevention, and control programs should be implemented to reduce the incidence and severity of the disease in older adults and, thus, prevent its associated complications.