Relationship Between Multiple Measures of Financial Hardship and Glycemic Control in Older Adults With Diabetes

TitleRelationship Between Multiple Measures of Financial Hardship and Glycemic Control in Older Adults With Diabetes
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2021
AuthorsWalker, RJ, Garacci, E, Campbell, JA, Harris, M, Mosley-Johnson, E, Egede, LE
JournalJournal of Applied Gerontology
Volume40
Issue2
Pagination162-169
Type of ArticleJournal
ISSN Number07334648
KeywordsChronic illness, Diabetes, socioeconomic status
Abstract

Aim: To examine the relationship between multiple measures of financial hardship and glycemic control in older adults with diabetes. Methods: Using data from Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we investigated four measures of financial hardship: difficulty paying bills, ongoing financial strain, decreasing food intake due to money, and taking less medication due to cost. Using linear regression models, we investigated the relationship between each measure, and a cumulative score of hardships per person, on glycemic control (HbA1c). Results: After adjustment, a significant relationship existed with each increasing number of hardships associated with increasing HbA1c (0.09, [95%CI 0.04, 0.14]). Difficulty paying bills (0.25, [95%CI 0.14, 0.35]) and decreased medication usage due to cost (0.17, [95%CI 0.03, 0.31]) remained significantly associated with HbA1c. Conclusion: In older adults, difficulty paying bills and cost-related medication nonadherence is associated with glycemic control, and every additional financial hardship was associated with an increased HbA1c by nearly 0.1%. © The Author(s) 2020.

DOI10.1177/0733464820911545
Citation KeyWalker2020
PubMed ID32167406
Grant ListK24 DK093699 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
R01 DK118038 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
R01 DK120861 / DK / NIDDK NIH HHS / United States
R01 MD013826 / MD / NIMHD NIH HHS / United States